Calls grow to punish offenders in foreign cars abusing fuel subsidy in Malaysia
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Two cases within a week have led to calls for the government to go after the vehicle owners as well, rather than just the petrol station operators.
PHOTO: BT FILE
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JOHOR BAHRU – Two cases within a week involving foreign-registered cars receiving subsidised RON95 fuel
The common view was that it was unfair for the operators to be the only party penalised, while the vehicle owners were let off the hook.
“Since there are no penalties, these culprits will try their luck,” said a cashier at a petrol station, who only wanted to be known as Mr Lee.
He said petrol station operators were doing their best to prevent illegal attempts by drivers of foreign-registered vehicles to pump subsidised RON95 fuel.
“So far, I have not encountered such cases, but I know of previous colleagues who have seen a Singaporean car owner trying to use his credit card to buy RON95 petrol,” said Mr Lee.
On Jan 3, a man was captured on video pumping subsidised RON95 fuel into a Singapore-registered car with its registration number partially covered with black tape.
After the clip went viral, the car owner, who is a permanent resident of Singapore, was reported to have surrendered at the Kulai district police headquarters in Johor to assist with investigations.
On Jan 10, CCTV footage of a petrol station in Sungai Petani, Kedah, showed subsidised RON95 petrol being pumped into a foreign-registered vehicle.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Kedah is investigating the case.
Johor Bahru petrol station attendant Satria Sulaiman, 33, said staff have been keeping a close watch on all vehicles, especially those with Singapore-registered plates.
“However, some may still slip through. We have been reminded often and are well aware of the consequences of failing to be vigilant.
“We pay close attention to each vehicle coming in but, during peak hours, there is a possibility that we may overlook (some of them).
“It does not help that there are no penalties for those committing or attempting to cheat.”
Lawyer Norman Fernandez said the government should urgently enact a law to complement the Control of Supplies Act to ensure that offending vehicle owners are held equally liable. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
