The government's much-anticipated Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) initiative is finally here, and the first phase is off to a promising start. Early signs show that the system is running smoothly, with no major hiccups reported at petrol stations across the country. But what does this mean for everyday Malaysians, and how exactly is the programme being rolled out? Let's break it down.

A Gradual Rollout to Avoid Chaos 

The BUDI95 subsidy isn't being unleashed nationwide all at once. Instead, the government has chosen a phased approach:

This careful rollout ensures that the system can be monitored and adjusted before millions of people jump on at once.

Preparations Behind the Scenes

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh revealed that the ministry and oil companies have been working together to prepare petrol stations for this shift. This includes:

To help users get used to the system, customer service counters will also be set up at all state and branch offices starting 28 September for a week. These counters will answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and explain the difference between the two subsidy types.

Two Subsidy Mechanisms – What's the Difference?

The BUDI95 scheme comes in two flavours:

Both systems are designed to make sure subsidies are targeted and not abused, but the key difference lies in whether you're an individual driver or part of a registered fleet.

No Technical Glitches So Far

On the technical side, things look encouraging. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying confirmed that no system disruptions or complaints have been reported since the launch. Inspections at petrol stations showed the MyKad redemption system is running without problems.

This is a big deal, considering how heavily the programme relies on digital systems. Smooth performance in the first phase builds confidence ahead of the nationwide rollout.

Strong Uptake on Day One

Numbers from the first day are telling. Around 60,000 police and military personnel redeemed the subsidy, purchasing 1.3 million litres of RON95 petrol worth RM2.6 million. By 9pm, nearly 20% of the 300,000 eligible members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) had already redeemed their quota.

This strong start suggests high awareness and readiness among target groups.

Looking Ahead

With the full rollout scheduled for 30 September 2025, the government's phased approach seems to be paying off. Early adopters are helping test the system, customer support counters are in place, and technical performance so far is reassuring.

If all goes well, millions of Malaysians will soon benefit from cheaper RON95 petrol through BUDI95, a programme that not only helps ease living costs but also ensures subsidies are delivered in a more controlled, transparent, and fair manner.