Urgent Alert: JPJ summonses, blacklisting, and your Budi95 fuel subsidy: what Malaysian motorists MUST know before Dec 31

The deadline is looming, and confusion is mounting. 

With millions of Ringgit in unpaid traffic summonses and a critical year-end amnesty ending soon, the message from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is clear: Pay up, or face the consequences.

But is it true that unpaid JPJ saman will automatically block you from getting your Budi95 fuel subsidy? The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has weighed in with a crucial clarification.

Here is the essential guide for every Malaysian motorist on the true link between your outstanding fines, your driving licence, and your RM1.99/L RON95 entitlement.

The Urgent Deadline: Why You Need to Act by December 31, 2025

Before discussing the Budi95 subsidy, it is vital to understand the immediate threat: the enforcement deadline for unpaid traffic summonses.

The Amnesty & The Threat

For the past few months, JPJ and PDRM have been running a final discount campaign—offering up to 50% to 70%reductions—to encourage the settlement of long-overdue fines.

The Risk: Motorists who ignore this final amnesty period and fail to settle their fines by the end of the year face severe actions, including being blacklisted and potentially facing court proceedings.

The 2026 "Pay Fast, Pay Less" System

Effective January 1, 2026, all new traffic compounds by JPJ and PDRM will be standardised under a new structure aimed at discouraging delayed payments:

• Payment within 15 days: 50% rebate.

• Payment within 30 days: 33% rebate.

• Payment after 30 days: NO discount.

• Failure to pay within 60 days: Blacklisting and court action.

The current large discounts will be gone, making this last window in 2025 the cheapest time to clear your record.

Unpaid Saman & Budi95: Separating Fact from Fiction

Initial reports suggested a direct block on the Budi MADANI RON95 (Budi95) subsidy for those with unpaid fines. The MoT has since clarified the situation.

MOT’s Clarification: No Automatic Direct Link

Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the outstanding summonses and the Budi95 subsidy eligibility are separate mechanisms that do not have an automatic direct connection.

They are not the same matter and do not have any automatic direct connection,” MoT stated, stressing that motorists should continue to enjoy the RM1.99/L fuel price even with unsettled fines, provided they meet the core criteria.

The TRUE Link: Your Active Driving Licence

The confusion arises from the fact that Budi95 eligibility is tied to having an active Malaysian driving licence (lesen memandu aktif).

The Critical Domino Effect:

1. Unpaid Summonses → Blacklisting

2. Blacklisting → Barred from Renewing Driving Licence

3. Inability to Renew Licence → Licence eventually expires beyond the 3-year grace period

4. No Active Licence → Loss of Budi95 Subsidy Entitlement

In short, while an unpaid fine today won't immediately stop you from getting subsidised petrol, it will eventually lead to your blacklisting, which will prevent you from renewing your licence. Once your licence expires and cannot be renewed (due to the blacklisting), you will cease to meet the Budi95 requirement of having an "active driving licence," and your subsidy will stop.

Action Plan for Malaysian Motorists

Don't risk losing your Budi95 entitlement and facing higher fines in 2026. Follow these two critical steps:

1. Check & Pay Your Summonses Immediately

You need to check fines issued by both JPJ and PDRM.

2. Ensure Your Budi95 Eligibility

Verify that your MyKad details are up-to-date and your licence is active.

• Check Eligibility: Visit the official Budi Madani portal or check through participating petrol station apps.

• Update MyKad Details: If you have an old driving licence with outdated MyKad information, visit a JPJ branch to update it for free.

The clock is ticking. Take advantage of the amnesty period to settle your debts and secure your continued eligibility for the Budi95 subsidy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Summonses & Budi95

1. What is the current discount period and deadline?

A.  Both PDRM and JPJ are running a final discount campaign (ranging from 50% to 70% off for certain fines) that is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. This is the last blanket discount before a new tiered payment system begins in 2026.

2. What happens if I don't pay by the deadline?

A. You risk being blacklisted by JPJ or PDRM, which will prevent you from renewing your driving licence (CDL) and road tax (LMM). Your case may also be referred to court, leading to mandatory court appearances and potentially higher fines.

Q3. What is the new 2026 'Pay Fast, Pay Less' system?

A. Starting January 1, 2026, discounts are no longer seasonal. You get a discount based on how quickly you pay a new fine:

• 1-15 days: 50% discount
• 16-30 days: 33% discount
• 31-60 days: Full compound amount

After 60 days: Risk of blacklisting/court action,

4. How do I check if I am blacklisted by JPJ?

A.The easiest way is via the MyJPJ App or the JPJ MySikap Portal. You can look for the section on "Semakan Status Senarai Hitam" (Blacklist Status Inquiry). Blacklisting can block you from all JPJ transactions.

5. Will my unpaid summonses immediately block my Budi95 subsidy?

A. NO. The Ministry of Transport confirmed there is no automatic direct link. You will continue to get Budi95 as long as you meet the main criteria (Malaysian citizen with an active driving licence).

6. What is the Budi95 definition of an 'Active Driving Licence' (lesen memandu aktif)?

A: An active licence includes a Competent Driving Licence (CDL) or a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL) that is still valid or has expired for less than three (3) years (i.e., less than 36 months).

7.How could my summonses indirectly affect Budi95?

A, If you are blacklisted due to long-unpaid fines, you will be prevented from renewing your driving licence. If your licence then expires for more than three years (because you couldn't renew it), you will officially lose your "active driving licence" status and consequently lose the Budi95 subsidy entitlement.

8.What should I do if my MyKad and Licence details don't match?

A. The government recommends ensuring your MyKad (IC) number and other details are consistent across your driving licence record, as the MyKad is the document used for verification at the petrol pump. Visit a JPJ counter to update or harmonise your licence details.

9. Do I need to show my physical licence when pumping Budi95?

A . NO. You only need your MyKad for verification at the pump terminal or counter. The system checks your MyKad against the database to confirm your licence status.

Need to Settle Your Fines Now?

Here are the official government portals to check and pay your summonses online and claim the discounts before the end of the year:

• PDRM Fines: MyBayar Saman (mybayar.rmp.gov.my)

• JPJ/AES Fines: MyJPJ App (via App Store or Play Store)

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