Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Zahid suggests Anwar reversed RON95 fuel quota decision under pressure
Umno president Zahid Hamidi has implied that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government restored the RON95 petrol quota to 300 litres due to political pressure rather than policy merit.
LSN Malaysia ·

Zahid Hamidi, president of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), has suggested that the government's decision to restore the RON95 petrol quota to 300 litres per transaction was driven by fear rather than sound policy-making. The Umno leader made the remarks in reference to what he characterised as a policy reversal by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration. The quota system for the subsidised fuel grade had previously been adjusted, prompting speculation about the government's energy subsidy strategy and its fiscal implications. Zahid's comments highlight ongoing political tensions over fuel subsidy policy, a matter that regularly draws public attention given its impact on household budgets across Malaysia. The restoration of the higher quota came amid public outcry and pressure from various quarters, suggesting political considerations may have influenced the decision-making process. The matter underscores broader debates within Malaysian politics over the sustainability and targeting of fuel subsidies, with different political factions offering competing visions for energy policy moving forward.