Budi95 Via Touch ’n Go: Here’s How It Works Compared to Others

From Sept 30, Malaysians will get to enjoy RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre under the Budi95 subsidy. The government has set up several ways for drivers to verify eligibility and pay, ranging from the traditional MyKad route to digital apps that promise a smoother experience.

The most basic method is to use your MyKad directly at the pump or counter. It works, but it means producing your MyKad every time you fuel up. Still, this avoids any cashier interaction, so in practice it can feel faster than some digital alternatives. For those without a credit or debit card, queueing at the counter to verify and pay remains an option.

Fuel company apps such as Setel are the most convenient. After a one-time eKYC, you can pump without showing your MyKad again. Payment is seamless with debit or credit cards, and pump can be activated entirely in-app, skipping the cashier altogether.

Touch ‘n Go eWallet (TnG) is another option, but it comes in third when ranked by convenience. With its Budi95 feature that just went live, you launch the eWallet, tap into the Budi95 section, select your pump and fuel amount, and make payment through the app.

However, after that, you still need to head to the counter, where staff will scan your QR code before activating the pump. Depending on the queue, this step can feel more troublesome than MyKad verification at the pump.

That said, TnG does offer useful features. You can check your subsidy balance in-app, refunds for unused amounts are quick, and it doubles as a backup if you forget your debit or credit cards. For frequent eWallet users, it remains a practical tool, even if not the smoothest.

Behind the scenes, as announced by Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican, TNG Digital Sdn Bhd runs the backend for the entire Budi95 initiative. While its subsidiary Nadi Tech Sdn Bhd manages the central verification system that supports all fuel retailer apps. 

So even if you don’t use the TnG app itself, your subsidy transaction will still likely flow through its system and reflect in the app.

In the end, Setel and card-linked fuel apps are the clear leaders for a seamless subsidy experience. MyKad at the pump remains the simplest choice and avoids counter queues. Touch ‘n Go, while useful, lands as the third option, not fully cashier-free, but still more convenient than fumbling for your MyKad every single time.

So which would be your choice and why? Personally, we feel the most straightforward method is MyKad verification with payments made at the pump through your credit or debit card.