The Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia has urged the public to stop making and sharing videos accusing petrol stations of illegally selling subsidised RON95 fuel to foreigners, saying such claims are often misleading.
Its president, Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz, clarified that foreigners and permanent residents without MyKad are still allowed to purchase RON95 petrol, as long as they are using vehicles registered in Malaysia.
He emphasised that enforcement is based on vehicle registration rather than nationality, stating: “It is the vehicle plate, not the nationality,” in comments made on 29 April.
Datuk Khairul Annuar also welcomed recent amendments under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, saying the updated rules place clearer responsibility on drivers of foreign-registered vehicles who misuse the subsidy system, instead of solely penalising petrol station operators.
He described the changes as an important step towards a more balanced and fair enforcement framework for fuel subsidy management in the country.
However, petrol station operators say they continue to face challenges due to viral videos posted by members of the public. One unnamed kiosk operator said that incidents involving foreign workers filling RON95 often lead to stations being filmed and exposed online, sometimes resulting in unnecessary backlash.
He added that such videos frequently attract attention from authorities and create pressure on station staff, even when no rules have been violated.
Under current regulations, vehicles with foreign registration numbers are required to purchase RON97 petrol, while locally registered vehicles remain eligible for RON95 purchases, including subsidised pricing schemes for qualified groups.
A construction worker from Bangladesh, Ameen Habeeb Khan, said he has faced uncomfortable attention while refuelling, despite being legally allowed to use RON95 on a Malaysian-registered motorcycle provided by his employer. He said many foreign workers feel unfairly judged and anxious due to frequent recording by members of the public.
Similarly, other foreign workers have reported confusion and stigma at petrol stations, with some even being denied service due to misunderstandings about the rules, further highlighting the need for clearer public awareness on fuel regulations.
