Anwar Ibrahim's MADANI government seemed to foolishly believe that subsidy for RON95 for 300 liters of petrol is a smart move that will benefit all in Malaysia - NO, it's NOT because it does not solve the TRANSPORT problems of all in Malaysia - only reduces burden for car and motorbike owners with driving license - what about the others that do not own and drive motor vehicles - including children, elderly, and many of the poor > the only solution is affordable PUBLIC TRANSPORT that is easily accessible(meaning the consumer should not be required to walk more than 500 meters to get into the public transport) - Key to public transport is that it must be efficient and dependable - if it is a bus, then it should arrive at bus-stops at a regular predictable frequency/time - no more than a 30 minute wait for a bus/tram/train/LRT.
We are talking about CLIMATE CHANGE and reducing pollution and carbon foot-prints - so the necessary strategy must be to reduce private cars/vehicles - and the way to go is affordable public transport....
Problem faced by private vehicle owners in most places in Malaysia now - the difficulty in finding parking spaces and rising parking fees - 3 to 7 rounds around the block, and still fail to find a parking space - resulting in one not being able to park, and maybe going home. If one parks just beside the road, one ends up being caught and penalized - FINES. In a town like Temerloh, nowadays we may end up stuck in traffic lights, having to wait for 3-4 traffic light changes before we can go on our way...
Parking Fees set by the Local Council - if it is 63 cents an hour, a worker needing to work will end up parking the car, and that roughly will be about 10 hours - making daily parking fees of RM6.30, and for 25 days, it will be RM157-50 per month Add in fuel and tols, what then will a worker's monthly cost for just transport. What happened to PH promise to ABOLISH TOLS?
Now, if workers are parking close to where they work - how will customers access business premises or even government offices? Would it not affect businesses??
Why de-prioritization of Public Transport?
In the past, the government(i.e. the Federal Government) controlled the issuance of bus/taxi license...Then, one GLC seem to have acquired smaller bus companies - only to then shut down bus routes by reason that it was not profitable.
During the Mahathir era, when Malaysia started producing cars - some believe public transport was ignored, and maybe even killed, so that more would buy these Malaysian cars...
Focus on improving public transport only in certain places - NOT the whole of Malaysia
YES, the Federal Government started to re-focus on public transport - and also started bus services, but sadly this has been only in Klang Valley, Penang and big towns - Our new Transport Minister from Negeri Sembilan also focussed on his State. But what about the rest of Malaysia - minding that development has broaden the residential areas from town centres - and all those Malay kampungs who were already 10-40 Kms from the town and the commercial centres(including supermarkets) - So, if the MADANI government does not speedily restore free or affordable Public Transport that is regular and efficient, can we say that PM Anwar Ibrahim, Transport Minister Anthony Loke(head of DAP), Ministers... are NOT CONCERNED about the Malays and Malaysians transport needs.
Transport Minister - Priority provision of efficient affordable public transport for ALL Malaysians?
Children, Senior Citizens, Those Without Driving Licence or Owns Cars/Motorbikes, The Poor and also the middle class NEEDS PUBLIC TRANSPORT - not subsidy for RON95. In most developed countries, we see very few private cars on the road - for most use PUBLIC TRANSPORT most of the times for work, school, access to hospital/clinics, to get to supermarkets and commercial areas ....they may have cars/motor bikes, which they may use for leisure after working/schooling hours and for 'balik kampung' and visiting friends...
GRAB - a public transport service. It is certainly not affordable. The rates vary. For a trip to the government clinic/hospital, it can cost RM10-RM20 one way or even more - it is simply NOT AFFORDABLE, how many minimum wage workers earning RM1,700 can afford to use GRAB? In Klang Valley, to travel 2 km, it can cost RM10, and at times RM50...
SO, in conclusion I find that PM Anwar Ibrahim and his MADANI Government(that includes DAP - once seen as a brave party that will speak up and fight for justice for people without fear or favour) has today FAILED THE PEOPLE - After GE15, it seems that Anwar Ibrahim is trying to 'buy votes' - RM100 for all, RON95 subsidy, Increase of Public Service salary, Absolving FELDA Settlers DEBTS, ...but the FOCUS should be improving the livelihood of all Malaysians - and that means ensuring there is affordable Public Transport, ensuring monthly income for everyone that is needed for decent living, ...
PUBLIC TRANSPORT - is a public service, and it is not really a profit making business, as it implies providing the service for everyone, including routes with a few passengers like kampungs and distant housing areas...thus, this service should best be provided by the government - maybe the LOCAL GOVERNMENT(Local Council) with regard to public transport all around its area, the district and the towns...DO NOT JUST FOCUS on BIG TOWNS like Klang Valley and Penang - but all places of Malaysia. If Public Transport is reliable, efficient - the number of users will definitely increase in time... People will use public transport more and more not just to save on fuel consumption, but also because the difficulty in finding parking, the traffic jams, etc...
OVERCOMING the Government Culture of BORROWING, and increasing DEBTS
During the post-Mahathir BN era, subsequent Prime Ministers have been BORROWING more and more (Now about RM1.5 trillion debt, and so much spent annually for debt servicing) giving the impression that Malaysia is 'RICH" and the PM is good because he/she spends so much for Malaysia, and the Malaysian people - SPEND based on REALITY, No more spending more than Malaysia earns...
Malaysia’s national debt has surged from approximately RM31 billion in 1978 to around RM1.5 trillion today, an incredible 48-fold increase in a mere 46 years.- FMT, 12/8/2024
Malaysia's DEBT is increasing - and one wonders whether our Prime Minister and his current government is simply being irresponsible - do not care about the BURDEN that will befall Malaysians after this government leaves. It is interesting to note that Anwar's 1st year increased Malaysian DEBT by about RM90 Billion(and that is less that our countries total debt in 1978 which was only RM31 Billion.
IRRESPONSIBLE Debtors - Paying Back Try To Avoid because 'government will cancel debts?' thinking..
Many Malaysians have the 'tidak apa' attitude - borrow now, do not worry about the future including the responsibility to pay back the debt. We see this in Malaysian graduates, who is now not even paying back the government student loan - PTPN
The loans only require 5-6% of monthly salary (around RM150-180 for a RM3,000 earner), but these borrowers treat repayment as optional. Well, 400,000 Malaysian borrowers apparently skipped that life lesson and decided to keep RM5 billion of taxpayer money instead. Here’s what happened: The government provided student loans through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) to help students attend university.- Rakyat Post, 13/6/2025
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim insists that he personally signed off on an RM8.3 billion loan waiver programme for the loans taken by Felda settlers. - FMT, 8/7/2023
Growing HOUSEHOLD DEBTS - Many are buying with loans - and that includes expensive cars/bikes - But RON95 subsidy for all. Would it not be BETTER if it was only for owners of cheaper vehicles, maybe below 150 c.c.?? Or is the Government encouraging citizens to take out loans - and when you cannot repay the loan, the Banks come after you taking your land/house/cars/etc - and you may still have a DEBT payable back to the Bank....
Malaysians have racked up RM1.65 trillion in household debts as of end-March 2025, latest data showed. At nearly 83% of gross domestic product, Malaysia’s household debt is among the highest in Asia. The debts, however, are backed by assets more than twice as large at RM3.45 trillion, according to Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying in Parliament on Wednesday. More than 61% of household debts comprised loans for the purchase of residential properties, she added. - EDGE, 15/8/2025
We have to LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE - and solve the Malaysian peoples' problems. Jobs are decreasing. Most Malaysians do not even have regular permanent employment - just short-term contract employment - meaning have to look and find for new jobs or sources of income - but BANKS still insist on regular monthly repayment...so what happens to the people - will they lose their cars/bikes - The government must address this bad 'consumerist culture' that results in the taking of loans (and then not having the capacity to pay back). The Malaysian should END THE CULTURE/PRACTICE of cancelling DEBTs beit for individuals or even GLCs...
Thus, the GOVERNMENT should set the EXAMPLE - spending only what you have, NOT BORROWING and ending up with DEBT obligations...? Focus on DEBT REDUCTION - if not Malaysia would continue to still spend a big portion just on debt servicing annually...
PM ANWAR and this MADANI government should stop 'VOTE BUYING" or trying to woo support of the people by giving them RM100, RON95 Subsidy - and best focus on doing things that will really and TRULY benefit the people - like ensuring AFFORDABLE Public Transport for ALL, Increasing Minimum Wages or Supplementing Income so that everyone has a LIVING INCOME every month, ensuring free and affordable education, healthcare and a good welfare system so no Malaysian will be forced to resort to CRIME to just survive in Malaysia...note the number of theft is on the rise....
Then, there is the DISCRIMINATION question - what about Foreign Spouses of Malaysians, Documented Migrant Workers in Malaysia, REFUGEES in Malaysia including also Palestinian and Rohingya refugees. Remember, migrant workers in Malaysia also suffer the unjust low Minimum Wage in Malaysia of RM1,700 - which was in fact a REDUCTION in REAL WAGES.. do they not get subsidized RON95? Remember, our Federal Constitution talks about equality of persons - not just citizens - Art. 8 (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.
Should foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens have to produce their Marriage Certificate to get subsidized RON95 - these are family members of Malaysians, so they should similarly be entitled. They are not only spouses, but also mother or father of Malaysian children...
Without MIGRANT WORKERS, Malaysia's economy may collapse - they too need to travel from work to home, to buy food,etc - and many use motorbikes or 2nd hand cars - so, should they also not be entitled to subsidized petrol > or will employers be required to pay an ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT allowance for their migrant workers?
WHY subsidize people who have very expensive cars? If they can buy and use expensive cars, they can very well pay for UNsubsidized petrol...
SIDE ISSUE - Have you seen Anwar Ibrahim's FB Post - oddly most(if not all) comments seems to be comments of praise - and it is ODD since there are so many critics and those unhappy with Anwar too. Is there censorship of these comments - to give the 'false' impression that everyone is very happy with Anwar...or are the comments 'generated' by AI or people who are working for Anwar? Maybe, someone should investigate this and reveal the TRUTH.
Anwar: RON95 subsidy for all Malaysian drivers with MyKad, license from Sept 30
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced that the targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol will cover all Malaysians, removing the previously discussed income-based categories.
Anwar said the only requirements to qualify for subsidised RON95 fuel are a valid MyKad with an active chip and a valid Malaysian driving licence.
“We have decided to set the price of RON95 petrol from the current RM2.05 per litre to RM1.99 per litre starting September 30, 2025.
“This benefit is a gesture of appreciation, inspired by the spirit of Independence Day and Malaysia Day, as a token of gratitude to all Malaysians,” he said in his speech addressing the Prime Minister’s Department staff at the monthly assembly.
Anwar stressed that non-citizens and large companies will not be eligible for the subsidy and will instead have to pay the unsubsidised price of around RM2.60 per litre.
300 litres per month
Anwar said each eligible Malaysian will qualify for 300 litres of subsidised fuel per month.
“We set it at 300 litres because, on average, it’s about 150, mostly 200. At most 250. None go beyond 300,” Anwar explained.
“Unless the first wife is in Gombak and the second wife is in Seremban. That kind of back-and-forth maybe, but not many people,” he added in jest.
Anwar said, however, that those in the e-hailing sector will be exempted from the limit, with registration to be announced by the Finance Ministry later.
How it works
According to him, the process of accessing the subsidised price has been designed to be straightforward and familiar for users.
Dubbed Budi95, no registration is required for the mechanism, similar to the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah or SARA.
All Malaysians will be required to verify their MyKad before making payment, with MyKad readers to be installed at fuel pumps and inside convenience stores to ease congestion.
Based on data from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the National Registration Department (JPN), it is estimated that more than 16 million people will benefit from Budi95.
“I hope Malaysians can be a little patient, don’t all rush in on the 30th. You can do it on October 2, or even October 4 — just wait a little. I want to avoid too many people at the same time,” he said.
For Malaysians who prefer digital solutions, Anwar said options such as Touch ‘n Go eWallet and petrol company apps like Setel will also be available so that drivers will not need to present their MyKad for every transaction.
Step-by-step rollout
As a gesture of recognition ahead of the official roll-out, Anwar said police and military personnel will begin enjoying the RM1.99 per litre price from Saturday, September 27, 2025.
This will be followed by Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients from the B40 group, who will be able to access the same price starting Sunday, September 28, 2025.
He said the staggered implementation was to give the public time to familiarise themselves with the new system before the official nationwide launch on September 30.
The Finance Ministry is expected to provide further details on the RON95 subsidy targeting mechanism soon. - Malay Mail, 22/9/2025
No comments:
Post a Comment