JOHOR BARU: When the Malaysia-Singapore border reopened on April 1, many from the republic rushed across the Causeway, but not just for the sights and cheap, delicious food.

       Many motorists were seen filling their vehicles with RON95 petrol, which is against the law as only Malaysians are allowed to purchase the subsidised petrol.

       Photos of their act have been making the rounds on social media, causing a stir among the public.

       There was even one photo of a Singaporean who had his car propped up on a jack, ostensibly to be able to add more fuel.

       Local authorities have now pledged tougher action against retail fuel operators caught selling subsidised fuel to foreign-registered vehicles.

       The petrol station operators, in turn, are saying they are in a predicament as some of them lack the manpower to monitor the petrol pumps at all times.

       Johor Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the Johor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) had received five formal complaints regarding the matter so far.

       He said no foreign-registered vehicles – motorcycles, cars and diesel-operated vehicles – were allowed to purchase RON95 under rules that were put in place in 2011 and later revised in 2020.

       “According to KPDNHEP’s directive issued in 2020, petrol dealers are not allowed to sell RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles, including motorcycles.

       “They are allowed to sell RON97 without restrictions on the condition that it is directly filled into the vehicle tanks.

       “Only petrol stations located within 25km of the Malaysia-Singapore border entry point are permitted to sell diesel to foreign-registered vehicles,” he said, adding that the sale of diesel was limited to no more than 20 litres per transaction per day.

       Petrol and diesel are not allowed to be filled in drums or bottles, except for those with the required permits.

       Lee said a notice of such restrictions must be showcased clearly at each petrol kiosk at all petrol stations, and those who flouted the regulations could face action under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

       As such, Johor KPDNHEP would step up its enforcement to monitor the situation, he added.

       Currently, the price of RON97 in Malaysia is RM3.91 per litre while the subsidised RON95 is being sold at RM2.05 per litre until today.

       In comparison, RON95 is currently priced at around S$3 (RM9.31) per litre in Singapore, while RON98 retails for S$3.47 (RM10.77) per litre.As a rule, Singapore vehicles must have at least three-quarters of their fuel tanks filled before heading into Malaysia or they will be turned away by checkpoint authorities on the island republic.

       Meanwhile, Singaporean motorists have been reminded to be responsible and avoid flouting the law by filling up their tanks with RON95.

       BHP Petrol Association’s Johor branch committee member Noraini Sheikh Ibrahim said following recent events, its members were on high alert to avoid getting penalised for their customers’ actions.

       She said KPDNHEP had outlined instructions that all foreign-registered vehicles, including motorcycles, could not be filled up with RON95, which is subsidised heavily by the government for Malaysians.

       “Our petrol brand’s territory manager has also sent out a reminder to its petrol station operators about this matter.

       “As petrol dealers, we are always ready to cooperate with the ministry and will continue to comply with the government’s directives to the best of our abilities.

       “Although we did not receive any formal complaints regarding the matter, we are well aware of the situation based on the photos and postings of foreign-registered vehicles filling up with RON95 that were shared on social media.

       “Our dealers are on alert for foreign-registered vehicle owners who flout the ruling,” she said when contacted by The Star.

       Noraini added that petrol station operators were having a tough time as some of them lacked the manpower to monitor the petrol pumps at all times.

       “Sometimes, the workers manning the kiosk area have to be excused to perform other tasks and the view of the petrol pumps could be unclear from behind the cashier counter.

       “Whatever the case, we hope vehicle owners will adhere to the rules as petrol dealers do not want to face a hefty fine due to their actions,” she said.

       It was reported that KPDNHEP would take stern action against petrol station owners in Johor who allow foreign-registered vehicles to fill up with RON95.

       Noraini echoed Malaysia Petrol Dealers Association president Datuk Khairul Annual Abdul Aziz’s statement which lamented that there were times when such transactions occurred due to limitations such as lack of staff monitoring foreign-registered vehicles at the premises and being a self-service industry.

       Noraini added that hiring additional staff with a minimum wage of RM1,500 to man the petrol pumping kiosks would incur unnecessary costs for the petrol dealers.

       Khairul Annuar was quoted as saying that petrol dealers should not be the target and the government should focus on taking action against the customers instead.