Cover image via China Press
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Petrol stations across Kuala Lumpur saw heavy congestion last night, 31 March, as drivers rushed to refuel ahead of a lower subsidy cap taking effect today, 1 April
The surge came after the government announced that the monthly RON95 subsidy per individual would be reduced from 300 litres to 200 litres starting April.
With yesterday marking the final day under the higher quota, many drivers were seen making last-minute trips to maximise their remaining allowance.
Long queues had formed at stations in several parts of the city, with traffic building up around entry points and spilling onto nearby roads, according to China Press.
Some motorists were seen waiting extended periods to reach the pump.
The rush appears to be driven less by necessity and more by caution
While official data shows that about 90% of Malaysians consume below 200 litres a month, the impending cut still triggered a wave of "just in case" behaviour.
For many, the thinking was simple: fill up now while the higher limit still applies, even if their usual usage doesn't come close.
The scenes echoed a familiar pattern from the past, when motorists would crowd petrol stations ahead of scheduled fuel price hikes under the previous weekly pricing system.
This time, it's not prices changing overnight, at least not for Malaysian citizens, but the ceiling on how much subsidised RON95 each person can access. Still, the reaction on the ground suggests that perception, more than actual impact, is driving behaviour.
