MP proposes two-year entry ban for foreign-registered vehicles caught filling up with unsubsidised RON95

A government backbencher has proposed that owners of foreign-registered vehicles caught pumping subsidised RON 95 petrol should be blacklisted from entering Malaysia for a period of two years, The Star reports.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat last week, Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) suggested that the government amend existing legislation to penalise vehicle owners for flouting the law, instead of only holding petrol station operators liable.

“This is not a matter of discrimination. All Malaysians and foreign nationals in our country must adhere to the law,” he said. He added that the government should also consider installing clear signage at land entry points stating that foreign-registered vehicles can only refuel using unsubsidised RON 97 petrol.

His call to strengthen enforcement against errant motorists comes following a recent case on January 3, where a man was captured on video filling up his Singaporean-registered car, which had its registration number partially covered with black tape, with RON 95 petrol. When the clip went viral, the car owner, a permanent resident of Singapore, was reported to have surrendered at the Kulai district police headquarters in Johor to assist with investigations.

Only Malaysians with active driving licences are eligible to purchase RON 95 petrol at subsidised Budi95 prices.