Anwar: RON95 Petrol Prices Will Stay the Same

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made an important promise on October 24 in Melaka. He said the price of RON95 petrol will not go up, even if it costs the government a lot more money to keep it low. He spoke at an event focused on helping Malaysians deal with the rising cost of living. His message was clear: the government will put people first.

Right now, RON95 petrol costs RM1.99 per litre. Global oil prices have gone up sharply, from about US$70 a barrel to nearly US$120 or US$130 a barrel. Because of this, Malaysia's government may have to spend between RM42 billion and RM45 billion a year just to keep fuel prices low. That is a huge amount of money, but Anwar said the government is willing to pay it to protect everyday Malaysians.

Anwar explained what would happen if the government stopped the subsidy. Families could end up paying an extra RM2 to RM5 more per litre at the pump. For a parent who drives their children to school and then goes to work, that could add up to RM10 more per day. Over a month, that extra cost would be very hard on low- and middle-income families.

The Prime Minister also pushed back on a common criticism. Some people argue that giving out subsidies makes citizens too dependent on government help. Anwar disagreed, saying those arguments ignore the real struggles faced by people with low incomes. He believes the government has a responsibility to shield its people from sudden and painful price increases.

Anwar spoke at the launch of the National Cost of Living Action Plan 2030, held at the Hang Jebat Sports Complex in Krubong. He said that true progress is not just about big numbers like trade or investment. It must also be felt in people's daily lives, through better schools, hospitals, jobs, and affordable prices. Success, he said, means life actually gets better for everyone.

He also talked about Malaysia's future in new technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He said chasing these big goals must go hand in hand with taking care of basic needs. He described the government's approach as 'reaching for the sky while remaining rooted in the ground.' This means Malaysia can aim high in technology while still looking after human values and the well-being of ordinary people.