Another day, another Singapore-registered vehicle was caught pumping subsidised RON95 petrol in Malaysia, despite repeated warnings and enforcement efforts.
This time, the incident happened at a Caltex station in Eco Botanic, Johor, after photos of a white Honda Spada with foreign registration plates went viral on social media.
The images, shared on SG Road Vigilante’s Facebook page, showed the vehicle refuelling with RON95 at around 3pm in late January, reigniting public frustration over fuel subsidy leakages in border areas.
Following the viral post, the Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry launched an investigation into the petrol station involved.
Authorities reviewed CCTV footage, transaction records and receipts, which confirmed that RON95 was indeed dispensed to a foreign-registered car.
A case has since been opened under the Supply Control Act 1961 and the Supply Control Regulations 1974, which prohibit the sale of RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles.
Photo: PaulTan.
Under current laws, enforcement action can only be taken against petrol station operators, not the vehicle owners themselves, a loophole many Malaysians feel has made the problem harder to curb.
If found guilty, individual offenders could face fines of up to RM1 million or a jail term of up to three years, while repeat offences carry heavier penalties. Corporate entities may be fined up to RM2 million, rising to RM5 million for subsequent violations.
The incident has once again highlighted long-standing concerns over subsidy leakages in Johor and other border states, where subsidised fuel meant to ease Malaysians’ cost of living continues to be misused.
RON95, easily identified by its yellow nozzle and labelling at petrol stations, is strictly reserved for Malaysian-registered vehicles. Foreign vehicles are required to refuel with RON97 or RON100 instead.
In response to mounting public pressure, the government is now drafting new regulations to directly prohibit foreign vehicles from purchasing subsidised RON95 fuel.
These new rules are expected to come into force from April 1, 2026, and aim to close enforcement gaps that currently limit action to petrol station operators alone.
But the question remains. How many more warnings, investigations and penalties are needed before this issue is truly brought under control? As more cases surface almost daily, many are calling for stricter enforcement and faster implementation of the new rules to protect subsidies meant for Malaysians, not foreign motorists.
