A RECENT social media post by Information Minister Fahmi Fadzil that only the top-tier of wealthy Malaysians will be subject to the lifting of RON95 subsidy has left many Malaysian motorists wondering whether they, too, will be impacted or exempted from such ruling.
“RON95 subsidy remains enjoyed by 85% of the people,” tweeted the Pantai MP in response to a sarcastic post “thanking the Prime Minister (PM) for confirming the withdrawal of the RON95 subsidy in Budget 2025” by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
Subsidi RON95 kekal dinikmati 85% rakyat
Hanya golongan T15 & warga asing tidak akan menikmati lagi subsidi tersebut menjelang pertengahan 2025 https://t.co/mqnCLGdMVw pic.twitter.com/DGU5v0bKXi
— Fahmi Fadzil 🇲🇾 (@fahmi_fadzil) October 19, 2024
“Only the T15 group and foreigners will no longer enjoy the subsidy by mid-2025.”
This led to data-centric social media influencer Thevesh (@Thevesh) stating that while he has no issue with foreigners, he wondered if the Communications Minister “could explain the rationale behind T15 and why is the line drawn there?”
“Saw that 85% rakyat tidak terkesan (85% Malaysians not impacted) mentioned quite a few times in the Budget 2025 speech. Most basic question actually is what counts as T15? (we’re used to M40, T20, T10, etc),” Thevesh pointed out while furnishing a state-by-state bar chart of the monthly income required to fall under the T15 category.
At a glance, the salary level ranges from RM21,726 in Putrajaya and RM19,005 in Kuala Lumpur to RM8,473 and RM7,759 in Kedah and Kelantan respectively or RM13,000/month for the national level which is “not mahakaya (excessively wealthy)” as claimed by PM/Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Saw “85 peratus rakyat tidak terkesan” mentioned quite a few times in today’s budget speech, so here’s some data.
Most basic question – actually what counts as T15? (we’re used to M40, T20, T10, etc)
Here’s the answer by state.
National level: RM13k/month. Def not mahakaya. pic.twitter.com/RiF1zKlWtb
— Thevesh (@Thevesh) October 18, 2024
In fact, Thevesh was not alone in seeking the definition of “T15 (Top 15%)” as many commenters, too, were eager to know especially considering the disparity between income levels among states
This is where finfluencer Ikhwan Financial Planner (@IkhwanPK2022) chipped in with his two sen worth that “the household disposable income method is more comprehensive than social status (referring to T15)”.
One commenter lamented at how the still struggling M40 (Middle 40%) group has been “wrongly branded as mahakaya for quite some time by the Madani government.
“We just hope you guys don’t get it wrong this time (too) as the cost of living in the city is certainly a challenge for them,” he pleaded.
Another said he has no qualms “paying more taxes” but when the well-connected Najib (incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak) family gets away, that begs the question why he should be paying more.
“Since they can choose not to pay and still get government-linked position, that’s just a middle finger to the rakyat,” he asserted.
At the end of the day, one commenter rightly pointed out the enforcement aspect, ie how does the relevant authorities intend to prevent both the T15 and non-Malaysians from enjoying the RON95 subsidy.
On this note, Transport Minister Anthony Loke has mooted the idea of motorists producing their MyKad at the petrol pump as a mechanism to implement the targeted RON95 subsidies.
But many netizens found the idea “too flimsy” for both T15 motorists and foreigners “could be flashing a fake IC to be eligible for the subsidised RON95 petrol. – Oct 20, 2024
Govt considers MyKad to verify RON95 subsidy at the pump https://t.co/x1d0711Xma
— malaysiakini.com (@malaysiakini) October 18, 2024
