A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia

Due to the current spike in crude oil prices and the economic uncertainty, the government of Malaysia is in the midst of revising the current fuel subsidy scheme that imposes caps on both petrol RON95 and diesel. Under the current scheme, all citizens are allowed to refuel subsidised petrol without...

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Main Authors: Ismail, Shahrina, Lim, Fong Peng, Lau, Gee Choon, Yow, Kai Siong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Akademi Sains Malaysia 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/1/112550.pdf
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author Ismail, Shahrina
Lim, Fong Peng
Lau, Gee Choon
Yow, Kai Siong
author_facet Ismail, Shahrina
Lim, Fong Peng
Lau, Gee Choon
Yow, Kai Siong
author_sort Ismail, Shahrina
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Due to the current spike in crude oil prices and the economic uncertainty, the government of Malaysia is in the midst of revising the current fuel subsidy scheme that imposes caps on both petrol RON95 and diesel. Under the current scheme, all citizens are allowed to refuel subsidised petrol without any restriction. In the year 2022, the projected amount of the fuel subsidy allocation is RM28 billion, compared to RM11 billion in the previous year. To avoid an unhealthy financial position, a more structured fuel subsidy scheme is needed. We propose a framework, namely flexible fuel subsidy scheme (FLEXFUEL), that allocates the fuel subsidy to targeted consumer groups based on some predetermined ratios. Eligible citizens will be classified according to certain factors that will determine the fuel subsidy they are entitled to. The framework improves the weaknesses of the current scheme, and it is more flexible where the total allocation and the ratios are all adjustable to match the latest development of the country. More factors could also be added to the framework when necessary. We believe this is a more effective scheme that benefits both the country and citizens in the long term and simultaneously helps in reducing the environmental impacts due to fuel production and consumption.
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spelling upm-1125502024-10-13T10:43:33Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/ A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia Ismail, Shahrina Lim, Fong Peng Lau, Gee Choon Yow, Kai Siong Due to the current spike in crude oil prices and the economic uncertainty, the government of Malaysia is in the midst of revising the current fuel subsidy scheme that imposes caps on both petrol RON95 and diesel. Under the current scheme, all citizens are allowed to refuel subsidised petrol without any restriction. In the year 2022, the projected amount of the fuel subsidy allocation is RM28 billion, compared to RM11 billion in the previous year. To avoid an unhealthy financial position, a more structured fuel subsidy scheme is needed. We propose a framework, namely flexible fuel subsidy scheme (FLEXFUEL), that allocates the fuel subsidy to targeted consumer groups based on some predetermined ratios. Eligible citizens will be classified according to certain factors that will determine the fuel subsidy they are entitled to. The framework improves the weaknesses of the current scheme, and it is more flexible where the total allocation and the ratios are all adjustable to match the latest development of the country. More factors could also be added to the framework when necessary. We believe this is a more effective scheme that benefits both the country and citizens in the long term and simultaneously helps in reducing the environmental impacts due to fuel production and consumption. Akademi Sains Malaysia 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/1/112550.pdf Ismail, Shahrina and Lim, Fong Peng and Lau, Gee Choon and Yow, Kai Siong (2024) A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia. ASM Science Journal, 19. pp. 1-7. ISSN 1823-6782 https://www.akademisains.gov.my/asmsj/article/a-flexible-model-for-fuel-subsidy-reform-in-malaysia/ 10.32802/asmscj.2023.1680
spellingShingle Ismail, Shahrina
Lim, Fong Peng
Lau, Gee Choon
Yow, Kai Siong
A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia
title A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia
title_full A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia
title_fullStr A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia
title_short A flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in Malaysia
title_sort flexible model for fuel subsidy reform in malaysia
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/112550/1/112550.pdf