Malaysia to reduce fuel subsidies as inflation weakens

Government turns to tackling deficit after pandemic spending

20240806N Kuala Lumpur traffic

Traffic in Kuala Lumpur. Subsidies made up 25% of Malaysia's 2023 budget, with about three-quarters devoted to fuel subsidies. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)

FUMIKA SATO, Nikkei staff writer

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia is phasing out gas and diesel subsidies as inflation eases, working to reduce expenditures that ballooned during the coronavirus pandemic and rebuild government finances.

Fuel subsidies put a cap on prices, with the government covering any excess. The retail price of the commonly used gasoline RON95 is currently fixed at 2.05 ringgits (46 cents) per liter, about 20% of the price of gasoline in neighboring Singapore.

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