MALAYSIA | NOVEMBER 6, 2026 | WWC ONE MEDIA NEWS DESK
Malaysian motorists are getting some relief at the pumps this week after the government announced reductions in the prices of unsubsidised RON95, RON97 and diesel. But with the Middle East conflict continuing to unsettle global energy markets, the latest price cuts may offer only temporary breathing room.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance announced on November 4 that unsubsidised RON95 and diesel would each become 15 sen cheaper per litre, while RON97 would fall by 20 sen.
The revised prices took effect on Thursday, November 5, and will remain in place until November 11.
The reductions come just one week after the government raised unsubsidised fuel prices, citing higher global petroleum costs and concerns about potential supply disruptions linked to the Middle East.
This week’s adjustment reflects a more moderate regional refined-fuel market, increased petrol and diesel supplies, including stocks in Singapore, and a decline in Brent crude prices towards the end of Malaysia’s weekly pricing calculation period.
However, the Finance Ministry cautioned that geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East continue to pose risks to global petroleum price stability.
For motorists, the immediate question is how much cheaper fuel has become — and whether the reductions will last.
Malaysia Announces New Petrol and Diesel Prices From November 5
The latest adjustment applies to unsubsidised fuel prices under Malaysia’s Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).
The revised prices are:
| Fuel type | Previous price | New price | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsubsidised RON95 | RM4.42 | RM4.27 | 15 sen |
| RON97 | RM4.90 | RM4.70 | 20 sen |
| Unsubsidised diesel | RM5.27 | RM5.12 | 15 sen |
The reductions mean motorists purchasing unsubsidised RON97 will see the largest decrease this week, at 20 sen per litre.
Unsubsidised RON95 and diesel are each cheaper by 15 sen per litre.
The prices apply from November 5 to November 11, 2026. They are not permanent changes, as Malaysia reviews retail fuel prices weekly under the APM system.
The figures were confirmed by the Ministry of Finance and reported by Bernama, The Star and AsiaOne.
Subsidised RON95 Remains at RM1.99 — BUDI95 Users Continue to Receive Protection
While unsubsidised fuel prices have been adjusted, eligible Malaysians continue to benefit from targeted government subsidies.
The price of RON95 under the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme remains at RM1.99 per litre.
According to the Finance Ministry, the government is providing a subsidy of RM2.28 per litre, equivalent to approximately 53 per cent of the unsubsidised price during this period.
Eligible recipients under the BUDI Diesel programme will continue paying RM2.10 per litre, with the government covering RM3.02 per litre, or approximately 59 per cent of the unsubsidised price.
Other controlled fuel prices also remain unchanged:
- Petrol under the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS): RM2.05 per litre.
- Diesel under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS): RM2.15 per litre.
Eligible Malaysians can continue purchasing subsidised RON95 and diesel using their MyKad, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements and monthly limits.
The difference between subsidised and unsubsidised prices remains substantial, particularly for motorists who do not qualify for targeted assistance.
Why Are Malaysian Fuel Prices Falling After Last Week’s Increase?
The Finance Ministry attributed this week’s reductions to signs of moderation in the regional petroleum market.
One important factor was the increased supply of refined petroleum products, including petrol and diesel stocks in Singapore.
Singapore is among the regional market references used in Malaysia’s petroleum pricing calculations. Changes in refined-fuel supply and prices can therefore influence the weekly adjustment.
The ministry also pointed to lower Brent crude prices towards the end of the APM calculation period.
Together, these developments suggested that downward pressure on fuel prices had increased, allowing the government to reduce the retail rates of unsubsidised petrol and diesel.
However, the ministry did not suggest that global energy-market risks had disappeared.
It specifically warned that geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East could continue to affect the stability of international petroleum prices.
Middle East Conflict Continues to Shake Global Oil Markets
The latest Malaysian price reductions come amid continuing uncertainty surrounding the US-Israeli war with Iran and its potential impact on energy supplies.
The Middle East remains a critical region for global petroleum production and transportation. Any disruption involving major producers, energy infrastructure or shipping routes can influence the price of crude oil and refined fuels.
Reuters reported that Brent crude futures fell by 8.7 per cent on November 4, settling at US$94.62 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 8.3 per cent to US$88.12.
Both benchmarks recorded their lowest closing prices since August 31.
The sharp decline followed the US midterm election results, which led investors to reassess the likelihood of further military escalation and the possibility of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
However, the market reaction did not mean that a peace agreement had been reached.
Reuters subsequently reported that Brent crude recovered on November 5, settling US$3.67 higher, or 3.88 per cent, at US$98.29 per barrel.
The rebound followed reports of attacks on tankers, renewing concerns about possible disruptions to oil supplies.
The contrasting movements demonstrate how quickly international oil prices can change when geopolitical developments affect market expectations.
For Malaysia, that volatility remains a concern because the APM system reflects movements in petroleum markets rather than relying on a fixed retail price throughout the year.
A Look Back: Last Week’s Fuel Price Increase
The latest reductions reverse part of the increase announced for October 29 to November 4.
During that previous pricing period, unsubsidised RON95 and RON97 each increased by 10 sen per litre, while unsubsidised diesel rose by 20 sen.
The increases brought prices to:
- RON97: RM4.90 per litre.
- Unsubsidised RON95: RM4.42 per litre.
- Unsubsidised diesel: RM5.27 per litre.
At the time, the Finance Ministry cited higher Brent crude prices and concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East, including risks involving energy infrastructure and shipping routes.
The latest reductions therefore offer some relief after the previous week’s upward adjustment.
But the repeated changes also underline how exposed unsubsidised fuel prices are to international market movements.
Malaysia’s Fuel Pricing System: How the APM Works
Malaysia uses the Automatic Pricing Mechanism, introduced in 1983, to determine retail fuel prices.
The system takes into account movements in international petroleum prices and other relevant pricing components when calculating the weekly retail rates.
This means that changes in global crude oil prices and regional refined-fuel markets can eventually affect the amount motorists pay at petrol stations.
The weekly system also explains why fuel prices can move in different directions from one Thursday to the next.
A decline in international oil prices does not automatically guarantee that every fuel grade will become cheaper immediately. The final adjustment depends on the calculation period and the relevant market references.
The government can also maintain targeted subsidies to protect eligible households and sectors from some of the impact of international price changes.
Fuel Subsidies Could Cost Malaysia Around RM40 Billion in 2027
The latest announcement also comes as the government continues to manage the financial cost of fuel subsidies.
According to the Finance Ministry, fuel subsidies are expected to remain substantial, with an estimated allocation of approximately RM40 billion in 2027.
The targeted subsidy system is intended to provide assistance to eligible Malaysians while reducing the cost of providing broad-based fuel subsidies.
The difference between subsidised and unsubsidised prices highlights the importance of this approach.
For eligible motorists, BUDI95 keeps RON95 at RM1.99 per litre even as the unsubsidised rate changes weekly.
For those paying market-linked prices, however, the impact of international petroleum movements remains more direct.
The challenge for policymakers is balancing affordability for households with the government’s responsibility to manage public spending and maintain a reliable fuel supply.
Singapore’s Petrol Prices Show How Regional Fuel Markets Are Connected
Malaysia’s latest announcement also has implications beyond its own borders.
The Finance Ministry specifically mentioned increased refined-fuel supplies in Singapore as one factor contributing to moderation in the regional petroleum market.
However, the situation at Singapore’s petrol stations has been different.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported that Singapore motorists faced another round of petrol price increases in early November, with Sinopec raising its posted petrol prices for the fourth consecutive week among major retailers.
The contrasting movements show why motorists in neighbouring countries may experience different retail-price changes even when they are responding to the same international energy-market developments.
Singapore’s pump prices are influenced by local retail pricing decisions and market conditions, while Malaysia’s weekly APM system determines its published retail rates.
Malaysia Has Already Experienced Several Rounds of Fuel Price Volatility
The November reduction is part of a longer period of price fluctuations.
In September, Malaysia increased unsubsidised RON95, RON97 and diesel prices amid concerns about disruptions to global refined-fuel supplies and heightened Middle East tensions.
WWC ONE MEDIA reported that the September 17 adjustment raised all three fuel categories by 35 sen per litre.
Malaysia Raises Unsubsidised Fuel Prices Again as Middle East Tensions Push Oil Higher
A later adjustment on September 24 brought another increase, with unsubsidised RON95 rising to RM4.57, RON97 to RM5.05 and diesel to RM5.42 per litre.
Malaysia Fuel Prices Rise Again as Middle East War Keeps Global Oil Markets on Edge
Those earlier increases demonstrate how quickly fuel costs can rise when global supplies tighten or traders anticipate further disruptions.
The latest reductions provide a reversal in direction, but they do not remove the possibility of another increase if international market conditions deteriorate.
Will Malaysian Fuel Prices Fall Again Next Week?
The Finance Ministry has not guaranteed further reductions after November 11.
Future prices will depend on the movement of international petroleum prices, regional refined-fuel supplies and the calculations under the APM system.
The latest decline in Brent crude offered some relief, but the subsequent rebound on November 5 shows that the market remains sensitive to developments involving the Middle East.
Any renewed disruption to oil production, shipping routes or energy infrastructure could increase supply concerns and put upward pressure on petroleum prices.
Conversely, stronger regional supplies and sustained moderation in crude prices could create room for further reductions.
For now, motorists should treat the November 5–11 prices as a weekly adjustment rather than a long-term guarantee.
A Temporary Relief for Motorists — But the Next Oil Market Shock Could Change Everything
Malaysia’s latest fuel-price announcement brings welcome relief to motorists paying unsubsidised rates.
RON97 has fallen by 20 sen per litre, while unsubsidised RON95 and diesel have each dropped by 15 sen. Eligible BUDI95 and BUDI Diesel recipients continue to receive protection through targeted subsidies.
But the wider picture remains uncertain.
The Middle East conflict continues to influence energy-market expectations, and the latest rebound in crude prices demonstrates how quickly sentiment can change.
For Malaysian households and businesses, fuel costs affect more than the amount paid at the pump. They can also influence transportation expenses, logistics costs and the prices of goods and services.
The latest reductions are encouraging, but the question remains whether the regional supply improvement will continue — or whether another geopolitical shock will push fuel prices higher again.
For now, motorists have a week of lower unsubsidised fuel prices. What happens after November 11 will depend heavily on developments in global oil markets.
