KOTA KINABALU (March 15): The government has to allocate a subsidy of RM2 billion per month to maintain the price of RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre through the Budi Madani RON95 initiative following the surge in world crude oil prices, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "Last year, the diesel subsidy for Sabah and Sarawak was RM2 billion. The Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor) himself has requested that the hard-working Sabahans not be burdened (with increased transportation costs)," he said when speaking at the opening of the National Consumer Day 2026 here on Sunday. Also present were Hajiji, Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and his Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh. Meanwhile, the prime minister reminded the people to delve into the true meaning of the National Consumer Day celebration and also the month of Ramadan by becoming smart consumers.

Source: The Edge Markets March 15, 2026 05:19 UTC