Your phone probably buzzed today with news. PM Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim just dropped a series of announcements that got everyone talking. From a little extra cash in your MyKad to cheaper petrol and even an unexpected long weekend, it feels like a mini hadiah for the rakyat!
But beyond the headlines, what do these announcements really mean for your wallet, your daily commute, and your future plans? Let’s unpack these latest moves and see how they might just offer a little financial breathing room for you and your family.
RM100 in Your MyKad: A Little Boost for Everyone!
This one definitely caught our eye! For the first time ever, all Malaysians aged 18 and above will receive a one-off RM100 payment. Yeap, that includes you, your spouse, your kids over 18, even your parents and grandparents!
- The Lowdown: This RM100 will be credited directly to your MyKad starting 31 August 2025. It’s part of the expanded Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, and the best part? It’s for buying essential goods.
- Where you can use it: Think major supermarkets like Mydin, Lotus’s, Econsave, 99Speedmart, and even selected sundry shops across the country. You’ve got until 31 December 2025, to spend it.
- What it means for you: While RM100 might not sound like a huge sum, imagine a family of four adults. That’s RM400 collectively! That could translate to a decent grocery run, helping ease the burden on your monthly budget for essentials. It’s a direct, immediate relief for everyday spending. And for those of us who don’t strictly need it? The PM encouraged leaving it unused so the government can redistribute unspent funds to those who truly need it in 2026. A nod to collective responsibility, perhaps?
RON95 at RM1.99/Litre: Driving Down Fuel Costs (Soon!)
Ah, petrol prices. A constant topic at every lepak session! The big news here is that the price of RON95 petrol for Malaysians will be lowered to RM1.99 per litre.
- The Lowdown: This isn’t happening tomorrow, but the government’s long-awaited targeted subsidy scheme for RON95 is expected to roll out by the end of September 2025. Only MyKad holders (Malaysian citizens) will get this lower price, while others will pay market rates.
- What it means for you: This is a pretty significant drop from the current price, promising relief for around 18 million Malaysians. That’s almost everyone who drives a car or rides a motorcycle!
- For the daily commuter: Imagine saving a few extra Ringgit on every tank refill. Over a month, that adds up!
- For gig workers (Grab, FoodPanda, etc.): This is huge! Petrol is a major operating cost, so a cheaper fill-up means more of your earnings stay in your pocket.
- For everyone else: Lower transport costs for businesses can, in theory, help keep other prices stable or even reduce them in the long run.
Extra Public Holiday: Hello, Long Weekend!
Who doesn’t love a bonus day off? Prime Minister Anwar announced an additional public holiday on 15 September 2025.
- The Lowdown: This extra holiday is in conjunction with Malaysia Day (which falls on Tuesday, 16 September, this year), effectively creating a four-day long weekend from Saturday, 13 September, to Tuesday, 16 September!
- What it means for you: While not directly financial, a long weekend can be a fantastic opportunity.
- Family time: Head back to your kampung to strengthen family ties without taking precious annual leave.
- Domestic tourism: Explore Malaysia! A longer break encourages local travel which benefits our economy. Just remember to factor in those travel costs if you decide to hit the road!
No Toll Hikes for 10 Highways: Smooth Journeys, Steady Wallets
No one likes a surprise increase in tolls, especially when you’re already budgeting for daily expenses. The good news? Planned toll rate hikes for 10 highways have been postponed.
- The Lowdown: The government will absorb over RM500 million to maintain existing toll rates on these highways.
- What it means for you: If you regularly use highways like Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) or KL-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX), this is a direct saving. It keeps your cost of mobility predictable and prevents an additional squeeze on your monthly expenses. Every sen saved on tolls is a sen that can go towards savings, investments, or that much-needed matcha, hehe!
Jualan Rahmah MADANI Gets a Double Boost!
The popular Jualan Rahmah MADANI program, which offers essential goods at discounted prices, is getting a significant boost.
- The Lowdown: The funds allocated for this programme will be doubled from RM300 million to RM600 million.
- What it means for you: This means more access to affordable essential goods for more Malaysians across more constituencies. If you’ve been relying on Jualan Rahmah for your groceries, expect wider availability and potentially more items to choose from. It’s a direct hit against the rising cost of living, making sure everyone has access to basic necessities without breaking the bank.
The Bigger Picture: Navigating the Cost of Living
The Prime Minister acknowledged that even with inflation at 1.1% in June 2025, the rising price of food and beverages remains a challenge for many families. These new initiatives are clearly aimed at putting immediate relief directly into the hands (and MyKads!) of the rakyat.
While these are welcome measures, remember that building long-term financial resilience is a continuous journey. Use any relief from these announcements wisely. Perhaps top up your emergency fund, pay down a bit of debt or start that small investment you’ve been thinking about.
At Ringgit Feed, we’re here to help you make sense of every financial twist and turn. These announcements are a good reminder that staying informed and adapting your personal finance strategies can make a real difference.
What do you think of these announcements? How will they impact your daily life? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
A Little Note from Ringgit Feed: Just a friendly reminder from your friends at Ringgit Feed: this article is for sharing ideas and general information to empower you. It’s not official financial advice. When it comes to big money decisions, it’s always a good idea to chat with a qualified financial advisor who can give you personalised guidance tailored to your unique situation. Your financial journey is unique, and getting expert advice is always smart!
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