If there is one thing that never fails to get Malaysians talking, it is the price of petrol.  The latest murmur is around Budi Madani RON95, or BUDI95, a targeted subsidy scheme that cuts the pump price of RON95 down to RM1.99 a litre, instead of the usual RM2.05.

The savings are only half the story, though. The other half is about how easy it is to access. Hence, with an estimated 87% of the population using e-wallets by early 2025, it would be a no-brainer for TnG E-Wallet not to step in, trying to make the whole experience far less of a hassle.

What Exactly is Budi Madani RON95?

The idea behind BUDI95 is straightforward. Malaysians should pay less for their daily fuel while foreigners, companies, and foreign-registered cars cover the unsubsidised cost.

With this, locals get to enjoy RON95 at RM1.99 per litre, while non-citizens and big companies pay RM2.60. If you are driving a foreign-registered vehicle, you will need to fill up with RON97 instead.

The programme started rolling out in stages. Armed forces and police personnel were the first to gain access on 27 September, followed by Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah recipients on 28 September.

From 30 September onwards, it will be available to every Malaysian with a valid MyKad and driving licence.

You do not even need to show your licence at the pump, though the system requires that your MyKad chip is active and working.

How Does It Work at the Station?

The government’s plan is to make it feel as close to a normal refuelling routine as possible. You arrive at the station, insert your MyKad before paying, and the system applies the lower subsidised price.

If you prefer to pay at the counter, you hand your MyKad to the cashier before settling the bill. Either way, the subsidy applies automatically.

For those who prefer apps, things get more interesting. Petrol station apps like Setel and CaltexGo can store your MyKad verification so that you only need to confirm it once.

If you want to know how to use BUDI95 via Setel, head over to this article.

After that, the discount is applied every time you buy fuel through the app.

The System Behind It All

What drivers see in their apps is just the front end. The real heavy lifting happens in the background.

The government has tasked TNG Digital, through its unit Nadi Tech, with building and running the central infrastructure that powers BUDI95. This backend system is what keeps track of both identity checks and monthly quotas for millions of Malaysians.

Apps like Setel, CaltexGO, and TnG E-Wallet act as the customer-facing portals, but they all connect back to this same system.

That way, once you have verified your identity through eKYC in any of the apps, the backend automatically ensures you get the subsidised price until your quota runs out. It also means you will not be asked to repeatedly prove who you are at the pump.

The TnG E-Wallet works across all petrol stations, while apps like Setel and CaltexGO remain brand-specific. A similar feature is expected to appear on the Shell App in the coming weeks.

With this centralised setup, the government estimates that around 16 million Malaysians will benefit from the scheme.

Use BUDI95 via TnG E-Wallet

Touch ‘n Go has taken this a step further by building a BUDI95 mini-app right inside its eWallet.

Instead of producing your MyKad at the pump every single time, you can simply launch the TnG app, tap on BUDI95, and generate a QR code to pay for your fuel.

The nice thing is that this works across all petrol station brands, not just one or two.

At Petronas stations, the process is even smoother because Setel has already been integrated into TnG E-Wallet, so you can activate the pump directly from your phone without walking to the counter.

Step by Step: Using BUDI95 TnG E-Wallet

It is yet to be available today as the date of publication, but the process is fairly simple once it’s available and you have updated your app. Here is how it works:

Step 1
Open your TnG eWallet and tap the BUDI95 icon on the home screen to check your eligibility and balance.

Step 2
Tap Buy Fuel on the BUDI95 page. The app can detect nearby stations if you have location services enabled.

Step 3
Pick the station, enter your pump number and the amount you want to spend, then confirm and pay in the app. A QR code will be generated after payment.

Step 4
Show the QR code at the counter. Staff will scan it to activate the pump, and you can start fuelling.

The QR code is valid for ten minutes. If you pay for more than you end up pumping, the unused balance goes straight back into your eWallet.

On top of that, you still earn GOrewards points for each subsidised transaction.

But before you can use BUDI95 TnG E-Wallet, you will need to complete a quick eKYC verification in the app. This is a one-time digital process to confirm that you are Malaysian.

It involves scanning your MyKad, taking a selfie, and filling in your details. Most of the time, the approval is immediate, though it can take up to seven working days if extra checks are needed.

The how-to of verifying your TnG E-Wallet account via eKYC.

Checking Your Quota and Eligibility

Every eligible motorist is entitled to 300 litres of subsidised RON95 per month. If you are an e-hailing driver, you can apply for a higher quota since your fuel usage is naturally heavier.

The TnG E-Wallet BUDI95 mini-app shows not just your eligibility status but also how much of your quota you have left. For extra reassurance, Malaysians can also check their status at budimadani.gov.my.

Importantly, Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance has stated that there is no daily cap, so you are free to use your quota however you like, whether it is multiple small top-ups or a full tank at once.

Making Fuel-Pumping Less Of A Hassle

Let’s be honest, we all get a bit sceptical when new systems are introduced. New system means new problems.  The thought of long queues, faulty readers, and buggy apps is enough to make anyone groan.

But the government plans to roll out the BUDI95 scheme in stages to keep things running smoothly. By connecting it with e-wallets like Touch ‘n Go, users get a much handier option than digging out their MyKad for every refuel.

The deal is simple. BUDI95 saves you money on fuel, and using your TnG E-Wallet saves you time and hassle.

Of course, the proof is in the pudding. The real test is whether it actually works smoothly when we try it. If it’s smooth, it might just be the new normal.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Malaysia based on an image via Touch n’ Go.