Govt to act against those who sell RON95 petrol to foreigners

JOHOR BARU: Stern action will be taken against petrol station owners in Johor who allow foreign-registered vehicles to fill up on RON95 petrol.

Johor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry director Mohd Hairul Anuar Bohro said he had instructed enforcement officers to monitor petrol stations in the state to ensure vehicles with foreign registration numbers did not get RON95 petrol.

He said the ban on the sale of RON95 petrol to non-Malaysian vehicles had been in force since Aug 1, 2010. It applies nationwide.

"We will investigate the matter where photos of several vehicles with foreign registration numbers filling RON95 petrol were shared on the Internet.

"We have mobilised enforcement officers to monitor petrol stations in the state, especially those in (Johor Baru).

"The public can also provide information including photos and the location of petrol stations, if they come across a vehicle with a foreign registration number filling up with RON95 petrol," he said here today.

Complaints may be channelled through the ministry's complaints portal at http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, WhatsApp at 019-2794317 or calling toll-free to 1-800-886-800.

Mohd Hairul added that stern action would be taken against petrol station owners who fail to monitor the sale of RON95 petrol in accordance with the law.

"We will step up enforcement and monitoring to ensure that these activities can be addressed," he said.

Pictures of vehicles with Singapore registration numbers filling up on RON95, believed to be at petrol stations here, were spread on social media after the borders reopened on Friday.

According to Mohd Hairul Anuar, petrol station owners found to have sold RON95 petrol to foreigners could be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act.

Those found guilty face a maximum fine of RM1mil or up to three years' jail, or both.

Second and subsequent offences by individuals carry a maximum fine of RM3mil or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.

Companies are liable to a fine of up to RM2mil for the first offence, and up to RM5mil for the second and subsequent offences.

In response to the warning, Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz said petrol stations are in a fix as they do not have enough manpower to monitor and prevent owners of foreign-registered vehicles from buying RON95 petrol. Unless the government offers aid to help station owners hire more workers, it would be hard to prevent foreign motorists from filling up on the cheaper petrol, he added.