New restrictions on foreign credit and debit cards for RON95 purchases take effect today as part of a nationwide fuel subsidy tightening effort.
KUALA LUMPUR: A ban on using foreign credit and debit cards to purchase RON95 petrol at self-service pumps is now being enforced nationwide.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is actively monitoring compliance, with checks focused on border states.
In Sarawak, KPDN Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said station operators have been cooperative but signage needs improvement. “Among the proposals are to make instructions on petrol and diesel filling limits at petrol stations clearer and more visible,” he told reporters.
A total of 283 stations in Sarawak will be monitored to ensure adherence to the new rules.
In Johor, state KPDN director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said 180 officers are inspecting 639 stations, with daily patrols at hotspots and border areas.
Enforcement includes outreach and reminders to foreign vehicle owners about the restriction.
In Kelantan, a station manager in Tumpat said staff were fully briefed and supported the government’s initiative. “We welcome the government’s initiative to ensure that RON95 remains readily available to local residents,” Ku Muhammad Farid Aidil Ku Din said.
Bernama checks confirmed KPDN officers were active at stations near the Malaysia-Thailand border from early morning.
Kedah’s KPDN director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said 180 officers are deployed alongside other agencies under Ops Tiris 4.0.
Station operator Mohamad Niekmat Ariffin noted enforcement also targets preventing misuse, like filling unpermitted containers beyond 20 litres.
In Perlis, state director Rohaida Hassan said most of the 40 stations understand the rules, with a focus on 10 border locations. “At this stage, our approach is largely advocacy-focused,” she said, emphasising education for foreign vehicle owners.
The measure is part of government efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s fuel subsidy mechanism following the global energy crisis.
