THAT Toyota Hilux and its four-wheel drive (4WD) peers can roam the streets in droves again come July 1 in tandem with the roll-out of subsidised diesel for all Malaysians at RM2,10/litre come July has been greeted as a sign of “must win” by the Madani government at both state and national polls.
As such, the so-called good intention is interpreted as nothing more than a sweetener or even desperation by the ruling Madani government to emerge triumphant in the upcoming Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections on July 11 and Aug 1 respectively or even an early 16th General Election (GE16).
For starters, unsubsidised retail price of diesel is currently priced at RM 4.37/litre Peninsula Malaysia (for June 18-24 period) and RM 2.15/litre in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Against the backdrop of the West Asian crisis that continues to pile pressure on global oil supplies, this step is important to ensure that government subsidies only reach Malaysians and reduce the leakage and smuggling of subsidised diesel,” justified the Finance Ministry in a statement,
“The significant difference between the price of subsidised and non-subsidised diesel has created room for the leakage and smuggling of subsidised diesel, including to abroad.”
The statement follows a revelation by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Bintulu earlier yesterday (June 21) that the diesel price reduction exercise “will be implemented uniformly nationwide through the use of MyKad”.
“Amid the global supply crisis, the Madani government has chosen to ensure that the fruits of the country’s reforms, investments and economic growth are returned to the rakyat through subsidised diesel while maintaining the price of RON95 at RM1.99/litre,” penned PMX who is also the Finance Minister in a Facebook post.
Further information on the implementation of the diesel subsidy targeting reform (notably the quota and actual implementation date) will be revealed by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan later today (June 22), according to MOF.
Too late for goodwill gesture
Surely, it is no longer easy for the Madani government to hide its intent in this information age given the clarion call is out that “no matter how much diesel price goes down, diesel users must overthrow the Madani regime”.
“It has gone down in the Malaysian history that diesel price skyrocketed crazily during PMX’s premiership🤣🤣🤣,” jibed one detractor in reaction to an Astro Awani FB post of the subsidised diesel price roll-out which has amassed 11K likes, 4.1K comments and 843 shares at the time of writing.
But the cue that the steep diesel price reduction is tied to elections being round the corner is undeniable with one commenter even mocked PMX with “tomorrow is GE, today the price of oil drops 😚”.
Others reckoned that the diesel subsidy roll-out “is a little too late for the prices of goods have already skyrocketed with the rakyat fussing about incessantly”. Likewise, if diesel price has dropped, “what are the chances of traders reducing prices of goods moving forward?”
Surely, opposition-slants commenters have flocked the comment section as evident from this call that “to maintain the (subsidised diesel) price after the state and national polls, one needs to overthrow the Madani government”.
At the end of the day, one commenter summed up best with this remark: “Remember ladies and gentlemen, just accept what they offer … Be grateful … but a change (of government) is a must”. – June 22, 2026
Main image credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook
