The Malaysian Insight

FOREIGN-REGISTERED vehicles that fill up with the subsidised RON95 petrol nationwide will face tighter enforcement, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said foreign-registered vehicles, including motorcycles, are not allowed to refuel with RON95 petrol.

“However, they are allowed to fill up with RON97 petrol,” he said in a statement today.

He said the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia is committed to ensure all petrol stations comply with the ban.

“A total of 2,200 enforcement officers have been mobilised to carry out inspections. They will use the Op Samar approach and wear civilian clothing in carrying out their duties.”

First time offenders will face a jail sentence of up to three years or fine of up to RM1 million, or both. Those who commit subsequent offences will face a jail sentence of up to three years or fine of up to RM3 million, or both.

For companies, a first time offence will see them fined up to RM2 million, while subsequent offences will see them fined up to RM5 million.

Petrol station operators found breaching the ban will have their licence suspended until the investigation is completed.

Najib Razak earlier this month said owners of foreign-registered vehicles must not be allowed to take advantage of fuel subsidies meant for Malaysians.

The authorities and fuel companies must stop this abuse, especially as the country has reopened its borders on April 1, he added.

“If a foreigner fills up his or her tank with 40 litres of RON95, the government will lose RM68.

“With the reopening of borders, I believe that the authorities and petrol stations will monitor this situation tightly,” he said in a Facebook post.

He was referring to a viral picture of a driver from a neighbouring country filling up a vehicle with RON95 petrol at a petrol station in Malaysia.

Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz told The Malaysian Insight that a lack of manpower makes it hard for petrol station operators to monitor and stop the purchase of the subsidised fuel by foreigners.

“It is almost impossible for our cashiers to look at the number plate of a car or even what petrol the foreigner is filling up with.”

The price of RON95 is S$3.02 (RM9.37) a litre in Singapore, while RON97 is S$3.51. – April 13, 2022.