Johor MP and Senator Datuk Lim Pay Hen has asked the government to consider using the mechanisms of the E-Wallet as a way to distribute subsidies for RON95 to eligible citizens. Lim says by doing this, it would help the government make the distribution of the petrol subsidy more targeted and systematic, instead of having to use the MyKad.
“E-wallets like Touch ‘n Go are seen as more user-friendly, and the government can more easily target those who receive subsidies. For those who are not skilled in using e-wallets such as the elderly, cash disbursement is the most efficient, because of the more accurate delivery rate.” Lim made the proposal during the debate on the Supply Bill 2025.
As a quick primer, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli stated in November that a 20-month pilot, which ran from 2022 to 2023, using MyKad and e-wallets and selected fuel station in order to test the implementation of the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy. When asked how MyKad would work on the subsidy eligibility,
Lim also expressed hope that the all government systems and transactions will go digital by next year, keeping in line with the country’s Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and IR5.0. “There is no need to look far. At the Parliament level alone, how far have all the systems used by Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat members been successfully digitised? At present, we still rely on printed materials, and have not reached a comprehensive level of digitalisation.”
The fuel subsidy mechanism for RON95 is slated to be implemented by mid-2025.
(Source: The Edge Markets)
