BUDI95 Educates Public To Be Smart Consumers - CAP

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The implementation of the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative nationwide starting today not only helps ease the people’s cost of living, but also educates consumers on their rights and prudent spending practices.

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer N.V. Subbarow said the BUDI95 initiative, which offers RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre up to 300 litres per month, provides valuable exposure on responsible spending habits to consumers through information displayed on purchase receipts.

“The subsidy information shown on petrol purchase receipts allows consumers to see their spending and how much subsidy they receive.

“This is a very effective form of consumer education because petrol is a basic necessity in daily life,” he told Bernama today.

He said the move helps consumers plan their expenses better, making them more responsible and wise in fuel usage.

Commenting further, Subbarow stressed that the initiative is not merely an aid distribution; it also educates the people to be smart consumers, an important step towards cultivating an economically literate society that understands its rights and responsibilities.

He said CAP’s survey found that many consumers, including e-hailing drivers, are satisfied with the initiative, which they viewed as having a positive impact on their daily lives.

“They praised the programme as a good effort. Although there are minor technical shortcomings that can be rectified, overall, Malaysians of all backgrounds welcomed the programme as it helps reduce their monthly fuel expenditure,” he said.

He said the public also viewed Malaysia as being at the forefront in delivering petrol subsidies in a targeted and user-friendly manner through BUDI95.

At the same time, Subbarow also said the government should consider extending subsidies to groups heavily dependent on petrol and diesel in their daily work, such as fishermen and grass-cutters.

A total of 16 million eligible Malaysians began enjoying the benefits of the BUDI95 initiative at midnight, with the price of RON95 fixed at RM1.99 per litre from RM2.05 previously. Each individual is entitled to up to 300 litres per month.

The implementation of BUDI95 began in stages from Sept 27, involving 300,000 police and army personnel, before it was extended the following day to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients among the B40 group, and nationwide on Sept 30.

-- BERNAMA