Foreign credit and debit cards will be restricted for RON95 petrol purchases to prevent misuse and ensure subsidies reach eligible users
PETALING JAYA: The use of foreign credit and debit cards to purchase RON95 petrol at all petrol stations nationwide will be restricted in stages starting this Wednesday, 1 April.
The Director-General of Enforcement at the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Datuk Azman Adam, said the measure is aimed at ensuring that RON95 subsidies are only enjoyed by eligible citizens, while preventing misuse by certain parties, including vehicles with foreign registration plates, Berita Harian reported.
“This is one of the new mechanisms introduced to regulate the purchase and sale of RON95 petrol at all petrol stations in the country.
“In the past, there were numerous cases of vehicles with foreign registration plates refuelling using foreign debit or credit cards at self-service pump terminals.
“As a result, it was difficult for petrol station operators and enforcement authorities to track such purchases of RON95 petrol,” he said.
Azman added that KPDN, in collaboration with oil companies, will progressively block such transactions. Users of foreign credit or debit cards will instead be required to make payment at the counter.
He said the move would also improve monitoring by petrol station operators and enforcement authorities, while ensuring compliance with existing regulations.
“For stations with, for example, more than 15 pumps, it is challenging to detect leakages. With this approach, requiring users to pay at the counter allows us to ensure that those who are not eligible cannot purchase RON95.
“Some oil companies are already fully prepared, while others will implement the measure in phases,” he said.
