PUTRAJAYA, April 1 – Amidst a prolonged global energy crisis that has driven crude oil prices up by more than 40 per cent, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to shielding the public from the full impact of rising costs by maintaining subsidised fuel prices.

The Ministry of Finance, in a statement released today, highlighted that global Brent crude oil prices have surged past US$100 (approx. RM470) per barrel. More critically, prices for refined products have soared, with petrol hitting US$150 per barrel and diesel reaching US$250 per barrel, placing significant upward pressure on retail prices.

To mitigate this burden, the government has refrained from fully floating retail prices at the pump for three consecutive weeks following the outbreak of the crisis in West Asia. Instead, it continues to absorb a substantial portion of subsidy costs for petrol and diesel.

In line with the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), the government has set the retail prices for petrol and diesel for the week of April 2 to April 8, 2026.

Unsubsidised pricing is as follows: 

RON97: RM4.95 per litre (down from RM5.15 on April 1).

RON95: RM3.87 per litre.

Diesel (Peninsular Malaysia): RM6.02 per litre (up from RM5.52 on April 1)

However, the government will continue to provide targeted subsidies to the public and specific sectors with RON95 still at RM1.99 per litre under the BUDI95 scheme.

The other confirmed subsidised prices:

Diesel (Sabah, Sarawak, and W.P. Labuan): RM2.15 per litre.

Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS): RM2.05 per litre.

Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS): RM2.15 per litre.

Effective April 1, 2026, the government has adjusted the eligibility quota for the BUDI95 programme to 200 litres per month. The ministry described this as a temporary measure until global supply conditions stabilise.

Furthermore, to curb leakage and smuggling in Sabah, Sarawak, and W.P. Labuan, the government has implemented a filling limit mechanism for diesel:

Maximum 50 litres per purchase: Light goods vehicles, public transport, and private vehicles.

Maximum 100 litres per purchase: Public transport and goods vehicles not exceeding 3 tonnes.

Maximum 150 litres per purchase: Vehicles exceeding 3 tonnes.

As an interim measure following the diesel price hike, the government will continue with the extra RM100 addition under the BUDI Diesel initiative for April. 

This increases the total assistance to RM300 for recipients of BUDI Individu and BUDI Agri-Komoditi.

The Ministry of Finance stated that alongside these immediate measures, the Madani government is evaluating medium and long-term strategies to ensure the subsidy mechanism remains sustainable, transparent, and beneficial to the people, while balancing fiscal responsibility with the welfare of the nation.