Malaysia warns of $640,000 fines for operators who sell RON95 petrol to foreign vehicle owners

Footage of vehicles with Singapore-registered plates fuelling up with yellow petrol pump nozzles has gone viral on social media. In Malaysia, yellow nozzles on petrol pumps are used to dispense RON95 petrol. PHOTO: NAJIB RAZAK/FACEBOOK

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has warned petrol station operators against selling subsidised petrol to foreign-registered vehicles, with a minister saying that they could be fined up to RM2 million (S$643,000).

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said both fuel companies and petrol station operators near the Singapore border have been repeatedly told about the ban prohibiting the sale of RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles.

The ban has been in place since Aug 1, 2010.

The ministry has also ordered all state ministry offices bordering Singapore and Thailand "to intensify monitoring and inspections as well as to take stern action against any party" that violated the law, Datuk Seri Alexander was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Control of Supplies Regulations 1974, individuals can be fined up to RM1 million or jailed three years, or both, if found guilty, while entities and companies can be fined a maximum of RM2 million.

Bernama said the issue became a hot topic after footage of vehicles with Singapore-registered plates fuelling up with yellow petrol pump nozzles went viral on social media.

In Malaysia, yellow nozzles on petrol pumps are used to dispense RON95 petrol.

Former prime minister Najib Razak shared a photo of a man refuelling a Singapore-registered car with a yellow nozzle. 

The warning comes as both Malaysia and Singapore fully reopened their land borders on April 1 for the first time in two years.

Mr Alexander said his ministry's enforcement division has been instructed to probe the matter and conduct periodic monitoring of petrol stations' activities, especially those near border states.

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