The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Johor is ramping up efforts to prevent the misuse of subsidised petrol in Malaysia. In light of recent incidents, 200 enforcement officers will be deployed to conduct rigorous checks at petrol kiosks, especially those near the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Second Link. This initiative aims to curb the illegal sale of subsidised RON95 fuel to foreign-registered vehicles, which is a violation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Petrol stations in Malaysia operate largely as self-service outlets, placing significant responsibility on the station owners and their staff to monitor compliance with subsidy regulations. The recent case involving a Singapore-registered vehicle highlights the ongoing challenge. On January 21, a woman was caught allegedly refuelling a small amount of subsidised RON95 petrol at Taman Pelangi in Johor Bahru. She managed to refuel less than one litre, valued around RM1, before being stopped by an attentive petrol station worker. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance among station operators.
“The primary responsibility lies with petrol station owners, they must take action to ensure no foreign-registered vehicles refuel with RON95, including assigning staff to prevent such incidents, especially during the festive season,” – Lilis
The division’s proactive measures include deploying enforcement officers who will scrutinize petrol kiosks to ensure compliance. Last year in June, 187 officers were mobilized to oversee the targeted diesel subsidy implementation, reflecting the ministry’s ongoing commitment to enforce these regulations.
“We have evidence showing that the woman managed to refuel less than one litre, worth about RM1, before being stopped. She then refuelled with RON97, which is designated for foreign-registered vehicles in Malaysia,” – Lilis
The ministry is currently investigating the incident involving the woman and has emphasized that station operators must be vigilant. The enforcement comes with severe penalties for violators. Petrol kiosk operators found guilty of selling subsidised fuel to foreign vehicles face fines up to RM1 million for the first offence. Subsequent violations could result in fines up to RM3 million or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
“Following our investigation, we found that this particular female vehicle owner chose a petrol pump at the far end, away from the cashier,” – Lilis
This incident gained significant attention after a 12-second video went viral on social media, prompting a swift response from authorities. The ministry's investigation seeks to reinforce compliance and deter future violations, particularly during peak travel periods like the festive season.
“The ministry can take action against petrol station owners who allow foreign vehicles to use RON95 and sellers not adhering to the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP),” – Lilis Saslinda Pornomo
In addition to enforcement measures, the retail price of diesel at all pumps in Peninsular Malaysia has been set at RM3.35 per litre under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism formula. This pricing strategy aims to stabilize fuel costs while ensuring that subsidies reach their intended beneficiaries.
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