FORMER MP Tony Pua has cautioned the government against making MyKad the primary method to claim the upcoming targeted RON95 petrol subsidy, warning that the approach could expose the public to security and financial risks.
Pua said relying on MyKad at petrol stations could result in individuals misplacing their identification cards, which would lead to costly penalties.
“While technically, MyKad can be used, I believe it could also lead to security issues, for example, if the card is misplaced, and so on. If you misplace your MyKad, you will be fined, and if you misplace it multiple times, the fine will be even higher. The penalty for losing MyKad three times, which is likely to happen if you are carrying or using the card regularly, is RM1,000,” he told a local news portal.
He added that many Malaysians may not be able to afford repeated fines, while other “consequential impacts” could also arise.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had earlier reminded the public to ensure their MyKad chips are functioning properly ahead of the subsidy programme, which is set to be rolled out gradually by the end of this month.
He also said the price of RON95 petrol is expected to drop to RM1.99 per litre once the system takes effect. As a solution, Pua suggested reviving a scheme similar to Pakatan Harapan’s earlier plan to introduce a dedicated “Kad 95” for fuel subsidies, instead of linking it to MyKad.
“So, to me, that (security) is the main issue that needs to be addressed. That was among the reasons why a proposal was previously made to introduce a new card instead of using the MyKad,” he said, stressing that the use of existing payment terminals at petrol stations would make implementation easier without requiring new infrastructure. —Sept 21, 2025
Main image: Yahoo News
