Introduction

As Chinese New Year approaches, Johor is intensifying its efforts to prevent the illegal sale of subsidized RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles. A total of 200 enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will be deployed to petrol stations throughout the state, especially at key locations near the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Second Link.

Government Action

With expectations of a significant influx of Singapore-registered vehicles entering Johor for the festive celebrations, government officials are acting swiftly. The RON95 fuel, which is heavily subsidized by the Malaysian government, is intended for usage solely by Malaysia-registered vehicles, and any violations can lead to strict consequences.

Enforcement and Penalties

Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, the director of the local division, emphasized that petrol station owners will face penalties if they permit foreign vehicles to refuel with the subsidized petrol, which is part of a broader strategy to uphold the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme. This initiative aims to maintain fair pricing and accessibility to essential goods during festive periods.

Recent Incident

The heightened enforcement follows a recent viral incident where a woman driving a Singapore-registered car was caught attempting to fill her tank with subsidized RON95 petrol in Johor Bahru. A short video depicting the event spread rapidly online, prompting immediate investigations by the ministry. Authorities revealed that the woman paid with a debit card but was halted by vigilant staff after only managing to pump less than a liter before switching to RON97, the fuel permitted for foreign-registered vehicles.

Safeguarding Subsidized Petrol

Lilis commended the quick action of the petrol station employee who intervened, underscoring the importance of safeguarding subsidized petrol from misuse. The sale of subsidized petrol to foreign vehicles has been prohibited since 2010 under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and violators could face fines up to RM1 million for a first offense, escalating to even harsher penalties for repeat offenders.

Compliance Responsibility

Despite these measures, there was no official guidance for foreign-registered vehicles regarding payment methods. Lilis reiterated that the onus is primarily on petrol station operators to manage compliance and prevent misuse, particularly during the festive season when the risk of violations increases.

Self-Service Model

Historically, petrol stations in Malaysia operate on a self-service model, allowing drivers to input their payment information directly. As such, the government is focusing on strengthening regulations rather than imposing penalties on foreign motorists at this time.

Government's Commitment

In a similar vein, last year, the Johor division had mobilized almost 200 enforcement officers to monitor diesel subsidy implementations, illustrating the government's commitment to overseeing fuel distribution and maintaining its integrity. With the recent announcement of a fixed retail diesel price, the eyes of the ministry remain focused on ensuring compliance across the board, especially as the festive season draws near.

Conclusion

Stay tuned as Johor takes crucial steps to ensure fair fuel practices and uphold local interests during one of Malaysia's busiest travel times!