ABIM RECOGNISES GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN PETROL SUBSIDIES

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Government policy communication needs to be strengthened, with greater transparency, including clearly outlining the rationale, actual impact and mitigation measures, to manage the knock-on effects on the prices of goods and services, following the temporary adjustment to the eligibility of the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme.

Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) president, Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin, said that good policies not only protect the majority, but also ensure that affected groups are not marginalised, as fairness cannot be measured solely by numbers, but by its real impact on people’s lives.

“Fairness in policy does not mean everyone receives the same thing, but that every group is protected according to their needs. In challenging times like these, fairness must be felt by all, not just the majority.

“If the majority is protected but a small segment is left struggling, then that is where policy responsibility must be refined, with greater honesty and courage,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Fahmi said that ABIM recognises the government’s efforts in maintaining petrol price stability, as well as implementing protective measures such as cash assistance and support for the logistics sector.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a special message, announced that the government will implement a temporary adjustment to BUDI95 eligibility, from 300 litres per month to 200 litres per month, starting April 1, 2026, following the conflict in West Asia.

He said the temporary adjustment was made after the government reviewed the average BUDI95 usage of about 100 litres per month, with nearly 90 per cent of the population using less than 200 litres monthly, thus not affecting the majority of users.

Elaborating further, Ahmad Fahmi said subsidy policies are not merely fiscal instruments, but a trust of social justice, as although the direct impact may be limited to certain groups, indirect effects, such as rising logistics costs and goods prices, cannot be taken lightly, as they affect the daily lives of the people as a whole.

“In this context, a targeted approach cannot be overly simplistic, to the extent of equating high usage with abuse. Some diesel users comprise economically productive groups, including the logistics sector, small enterprises, gig drivers, and semi-urban communities, who depend on daily mobility.

“… indirect effects through the logistics chain, transportation and the prices of goods will ultimately be felt more broadly by the public. Therefore, public discourse must be based on facts, without ignoring the real implications on the ground,” he said, while also calling on the public to be disciplined and prudent in energy consumption.

At the same time, he also supported the Prime Minister’s diplomatic approach in easing international tensions, including through direct communication and phone calls with leaders of other countries, as part of de-escalation efforts, as long-term solutions require peace and fairness at the global level.

-- BERNAMA