Perceived mobility affordability and welfare vulnerability among Malaysia’s B40 households during targeted diesel subsidy reform

Purpose This study aims to examine how perceived mobility affordability and adequacy, community participation and housing affordability are associated with subjective welfare among Malaysia’s B40 households during targeted diesel subsidy reform. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional convenience sample of 400 respondents from B40 households in the Greater Klang Valley was analysed using reliability and factor analyses, Pearson correlations, ordinary least squares regression with HC3 robust standard errors, demographic adjustment and vulnerability-profile comparisons. Findings The joint low/neutral mobility–low/neutral community profile represented 35.3 % of respondents and had the lowest observed mean subjective welfare. Its mean was significantly lower than those of the two profiles with favourable community participation and did not differ significantly from that of the profile combining favourable mobility with low/neutral community participation. Practical implications Mobility and community-participation indicators can complement administrative, income, transport-expenditure, compensation and accessibility records in welfare assessment and policy targeting. Originality/value The study brings perceived transport adequacy, housing affordability and community participation into a single welfare-vulnerability framework for Malaysian B40 households.