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The BUDI95 programme, which allows eligible Malaysians to buy RON95 petrol at a subsidised rate of RM1.99 per litre, will roll out on 30 September
Since one of the programme's mechanisms requires using your MyKad at the transaction terminal, an unreadable chip could cause unnecessary trouble at the pump.
Fortunately, there's a simple and proven trick: gently rub the chip with a clean eraser to remove dust, grime, and oxidised residue.
This isn't just an old-school 'hack' like hitting a TV box to make it work again. In fact, banks have long relied on this method to restore faulty MyKad chips.
Speaking to BFM today, 25 September, Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz raised concerns that faulty or dirty chips may cause delays during transactions.
"One of the issues that we are worried about is the identification card (IC), whether it can be verified or not online.
"I am actually telling my staff to have erasers ready because all the banks are also using erasers just in case the ICs are oxidised," he said.
The practice is so common that even Shell Malaysia managing director Shairan Huzani Husain was recently spotted doing it himself
In a video demonstrating the new system on Monday, 22 September, Shairan, also known as Pak Cik Shell, was seen giving his MyKad chip a quick rub with an eraser before inserting it into a terminal.
The logic is straightforward: over time, the gold contact plate on a MyKad chip can collect dirt or oxidise, preventing a clean connection with the reader.
The mild abrasive surface of a rubber eraser can gently scrub away the residue without damaging the chip, restoring its function in many cases.
Watch Pak Cik Shell's video below:
However, if your MyKad is faulty, the government's official advice is to get it replaced for free
Ahead of the BUDI95 launch, the National Registration Department (JPN) urged the public to check their ICs and is offering a free replacement for MyKad with damaged or unreadable chips from 23 September to 7 October.
This is the most reliable way to ensure you will not face any issues at the pump.
