Several recipients of the subsidy interviewed by FMT praised the initiative as a “great idea from the government” that directly benefits the rakyat.

Abdul Jalil Abdul Razak, a 35-year-old businessman from Nibong Tebal, owns three motorbikes and a car. He described the initiative as “excellent” because it reduces the rakyat’s financial burden.

Meanwhile, his wife, Nur Atiqah Eliyana, 30, was confident the MyKad verification system will prevent subsidy leakages and ensure that only Malaysians benefit from it.

“Foreigners will definitely not get subsidised fuel because they do not own a MyKad,” she said.

Malaysians will save up to RM183 a month under the BUDI95 subsidy, paying RM1.99 per litre for up to 300 litres of RON95 petrol, with foreigners and other ineligible buyers charged RM2.60.

Commenting on the savings, Nur Atiqah said: “The difference really adds up if you calculate it. The extra money can be spent on my family and for future needs.”

Wendy Teh, 50, a salesperson who drives a new Toyota Vios, welcomed the BUDI95 programme. She said the subsidy would help her save significantly, as she often travels to the northern region for work and spends long hours on the road.

“For runners who work outside (the office), this is very good.”

Hazim Khadri, a Shopee employee, was delighted to get more fuel for the same amount spent.

“It’s quite helpful because, like just now, I pumped RM6 (worth of fuel) but got a bit more.”

Technical sales engineer Ahmad Fareez Fazli Yahya, 31, offered a broader view of the potential savings.

“This is very good and helps people save money. For example, 300 litres costs around RM600, so the savings are significant. I think it’s a great initiative by the government, and many in the lower-income group will benefit from it,” he said.

Emily Pang, 51, who drives a Mini Cooper, described the subsidy as a useful buffer against inflation.

“It does help a little with costs. Any form of financial relief is important because (the price of) everything has gone up. Whatever we can save makes a difference,” she said.

Retail operator at Shell Milyar Mutiara Enterprise at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Mustari Mokhtar, said the petrol station receives between 2,000 and 3,000 customers daily.

Asked what would happen if the RON95 redemption system breaks down, she said: “We have been trained on how to overcome this, and there are ways to do it manually.”