(Kuala Lumpur, 26th) Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar stated that the system for the "Madani Benevolent RON95" program (BUDI 95) can process 30,000 transactions per minute, thus guaranteeing the program's smooth implementation.
He said that, based on previous technical issues encountered with the SARA basic compassionate aid, the government has drawn lessons and upgraded the system's capacity.
He pointed out that, when implementing the SARA basic compassionate aid, the number of recipients was relatively small, so the system could only handle 3,000 transactions per minute.
"But with the 'Madani Benevolent RON95' program, the server's capacity has increased tenfold, now allowing 30,000 transfers per minute, enabling the public's applications to be processed much faster and more smoothly."
Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said this during the Ministry of Finance’s monthly assembly today.
Anwar stated that the government's good governance and effective economic policies have enabled the country to lower the RON95 price to RM1.99 per liter, which compared to other countries, including oil-producing nations, means Malaysia can ease the people’s burden more effectively.
He said that the government’s announcement to lower fuel prices has received positive public feedback, and in response to some criticisms and suggestions, the government will continue to make improvements.
"Although, as always, there are voices of criticism and suggestions, we will revisit and review; we must understand why only a handful of countries are able to continue implementing subsidy schemes to reduce people’s burdens."
He said that even Saudi Arabia, a major oil-producing country, used to provide petrol at as low as 50 sen per liter in 2013, but now their petrol price has risen to RM2.60 to RM2.90 per liter.
"Qatar, as an oil and natural gas producer, also has fuel prices that are higher than Malaysia."
"The answer is because we started from good governance. I would like to thank the Second Finance Minister, Deputy Finance Minister, and all officials for fulfilling their responsibilities well."
Anwar stated that it was because the government undertook key policy reforms, including more transparent tender processes, efforts to prevent leaks, fighting corruption, and launching new economic policies, that they were able to reduce the price of RON95.
He said the initial suggestions estimated that the targeted subsidy implementation could save the government RM8–10 billion, but taking into account people’s needs and national economic stability, they decided that all eligible Malaysians could benefit from the RON95 petrol subsidy.
On another note, Anwar said certain agencies' loopholes and systemic corruption have had an impact on public service, but emphasized that this cannot represent the entire public service sector, as they play an important role in the government’s achievements.
"We certainly have to deal with a small number of bad apples, but it is unfair to generalize about all civil servants. In fact, the country’s economic growth, successful investments, and transactions are the result of the collective effort of the whole civil service system."
He said that the successful implementation of targeted subsidies that benefit the people is the best proof of public service effectiveness.
"Therefore, the recipients must understand that the implementation of these subsidies would not be possible without good governance, the efforts of civil servants at all levels, and cooperation from private institutions and relevant professionals."
Anwar also explained that the government set the subsidized petrol quota at 300 liters only after a detailed study of people's consumption data.
He added that since 98% of people use 200 to 220 liters of petrol per month, the initial suggestion was to set the quota at 250 liters.
"But after discussions between the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet, we increased it to 300 liters to avoid problems."
He emphasized that the savings from the implementation of targeted subsidies will be used to benefit the people through welfare, training, and the improvement of public service quality, and will never be used for extravagant spending.
"Yesterday, we discussed with the Public Service Department about the quality of public service, including increasing training allocations, graduate education, and new professions. Starting last year, we have prepared additional hundreds of millions of ringgit in allocations to ensure the Public Service Department has its own professionals, especially in the fields of digital transformation and artificial intelligence."
He emphasized that key areas such as education and health will also receive sufficient attention, including increasing the number of doctors and nurses.
He hopes that our country can maintain political stability and improve national affairs.
He said that, based on previous technical issues encountered with the SARA basic compassionate aid, the government has drawn lessons and upgraded the system's capacity.
He pointed out that, when implementing the SARA basic compassionate aid, the number of recipients was relatively small, so the system could only handle 3,000 transactions per minute.
"But with the 'Madani Benevolent RON95' program, the server's capacity has increased tenfold, now allowing 30,000 transfers per minute, enabling the public's applications to be processed much faster and more smoothly."
Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said this during the Ministry of Finance’s monthly assembly today.
Anwar stated that the government's good governance and effective economic policies have enabled the country to lower the RON95 price to RM1.99 per liter, which compared to other countries, including oil-producing nations, means Malaysia can ease the people’s burden more effectively.
He said that the government’s announcement to lower fuel prices has received positive public feedback, and in response to some criticisms and suggestions, the government will continue to make improvements.
"Although, as always, there are voices of criticism and suggestions, we will revisit and review; we must understand why only a handful of countries are able to continue implementing subsidy schemes to reduce people’s burdens."
He said that even Saudi Arabia, a major oil-producing country, used to provide petrol at as low as 50 sen per liter in 2013, but now their petrol price has risen to RM2.60 to RM2.90 per liter.
"Qatar, as an oil and natural gas producer, also has fuel prices that are higher than Malaysia."
"The answer is because we started from good governance. I would like to thank the Second Finance Minister, Deputy Finance Minister, and all officials for fulfilling their responsibilities well."
Anwar stated that it was because the government undertook key policy reforms, including more transparent tender processes, efforts to prevent leaks, fighting corruption, and launching new economic policies, that they were able to reduce the price of RON95.
He said the initial suggestions estimated that the targeted subsidy implementation could save the government RM8–10 billion, but taking into account people’s needs and national economic stability, they decided that all eligible Malaysians could benefit from the RON95 petrol subsidy.
On another note, Anwar said certain agencies' loopholes and systemic corruption have had an impact on public service, but emphasized that this cannot represent the entire public service sector, as they play an important role in the government’s achievements.
"We certainly have to deal with a small number of bad apples, but it is unfair to generalize about all civil servants. In fact, the country’s economic growth, successful investments, and transactions are the result of the collective effort of the whole civil service system."
He said that the successful implementation of targeted subsidies that benefit the people is the best proof of public service effectiveness.
"Therefore, the recipients must understand that the implementation of these subsidies would not be possible without good governance, the efforts of civil servants at all levels, and cooperation from private institutions and relevant professionals."
Anwar also explained that the government set the subsidized petrol quota at 300 liters only after a detailed study of people's consumption data.
He added that since 98% of people use 200 to 220 liters of petrol per month, the initial suggestion was to set the quota at 250 liters.
"But after discussions between the Ministry of Finance and the Cabinet, we increased it to 300 liters to avoid problems."
He emphasized that the savings from the implementation of targeted subsidies will be used to benefit the people through welfare, training, and the improvement of public service quality, and will never be used for extravagant spending.
"Yesterday, we discussed with the Public Service Department about the quality of public service, including increasing training allocations, graduate education, and new professions. Starting last year, we have prepared additional hundreds of millions of ringgit in allocations to ensure the Public Service Department has its own professionals, especially in the fields of digital transformation and artificial intelligence."
He emphasized that key areas such as education and health will also receive sufficient attention, including increasing the number of doctors and nurses.
He hopes that our country can maintain political stability and improve national affairs.