The backend digital infrastructure for the new RON95 petrol subsidy mechanism will be managed by TNG Digital Sdn Bhd, a previously unannounced detail that was confirmed by Treasury secretary general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican on Tuesday.
“As you mentioned, the backend digital database will be managed by TNG Digital,” Johan said in response to a question from The Edge at a press conference on the Budi95 fuel subsidy programme.
Budi95 lists two fuel retailer apps — Setel by Petronas and CaltexGO by Caltex — as well as the TNG eWallet app for one-time verification, to avoid having to scan the MyKad at the terminal for every refuelling.
It is understood that the central system, which will support Budi95 verification for all fuel retailer apps, is set up and managed by TNG Digital through its wholly-owned unit Nadi Tech Sdn Bhd.
TNG Digital, which also operates the TNG eWallet, is 45.01%-owned by Touch ’N Go Sdn Bhd, which is in turn indirectly wholly-owned by CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB). The other shareholders of TNG Digital are Ant International Technologies (Hong Kong) Holding Ltd (34.61%), Lazadapay Holdings Pte Ltd (11.38%), ASP Malaysia LP (5.99%) and AIA Bhd (2.99%).
When asked when other e-wallet operators and fuel retailer apps will provide similar one-time verification via eKYC for Budi95, Johan said the Shell App will offer a similar mechanism “within a month or so”.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who was also at the press conference, said the TNG eWallet can be used at all fuel stations, while fuel retailer apps are confined to their respective fuel brands.
Under Budi95, all Malaysians with a valid MyKad and driving licence will be eligible to buy 300 litres of RON95 at RM1.99 per litre every month from Sept 30 onwards.
The programme, said Amir Hamzah, is set to benefit 16 million eligible Malaysians.
For those who are not using the above apps to purchase the RON95 fuel, they need to scan their MyKad at the terminal at the pumps — much like a bank card or fleet card verification — to assess the remaining quota balance before making payment for the fuel.
Original article: The Edge