JOHOR BARU: Action can only be taken against petrol station owners for selling RON95 to foreign-registered vehicles and not the customers who made the purchase, says the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

       Its Johor director Mohd Hairul Anuar Bohro said as such, petrol dealers should take proactive measures to curb such transactions.

       “When they apply for a business licence, the law clearly states that action will be taken against them and not their customers or vehicle owners.

       “Petrol dealers are urged to comply with the regulations,” he said after conducting checks at a petrol station along Jalan Skudai here on Wednesday (April 6).

       The Star reported on Wednesday (April 6) that after the Malaysia-Singapore border reopened on April 1, many motorists with Singapore registration plates were seen filling their vehicles with RON95 petrol (yellow nozzle) as opposed to RON97 (green nozzle).

       It is against the law as only Malaysians are allowed to purchase RON95, a subsidised fuel.

       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.

       Meanwhile, Mohd Hairul Anuar said those who took photos of such acts were free to file a complaint with the ministry.

       “We will not stop them from doing so, as long as they can produce the necessary details and proof such as photographs, location and time of occurrence.

       “We want to combat this issue as RON95 is meant for Malaysians and the state chapter of the ministry will ensure that local consumers’ rights are safeguarded,” he added.

       Last Sunday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said petrol station operators selling subsidised petrol to foreign-registered vehicles will face stern action, with the law providing for a maximum fine of RM2mil.

       According to him, instructions have periodically been issued to all fuel companies and petrol station operators near the Singapore border about the ban on the sale of RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles including motorcycles.

       The ministry has also ordered all its state offices bordering Singapore and Thailand to intensify monitoring and inspections as well as to take stern action against any party that violates the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) and (Control of Supplies Regulations 1974), he said.

       The Act stipulates a fine not exceeding RM1mil, or a jail sentence of not more than three years, or both, for individuals; and fines not more than RM2mil for entities or companies that violate the law.