A Thai-registered car was caught refuelling with Malaysia’s subsidised RON95 petrol at a petrol station in Sungai Petani, Kedah, triggering public outrage after a video of the incident went viral.
The 67-second clip shows a petrol station attendant filling the foreign-registered vehicle with RON95 while a man believed to be the driver returns after making payment. A Malaysian man recording the video reminded him that RON95 is strictly reserved for Malaysian-registered vehicles.
Foreign vehicles, including those from Thailand and Singapore, are required to use unsubsidised fuel such as RON97.
The driver attempted to justify his actions by claiming the car belonged to his daughter-in-law and that his son was Malaysian. However, the filmer pointed out that eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s registration, not the owner’s nationality.
Despite the exchange, the station staff continued refuelling and did not intervene.
Following the viral video, Kedah’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) launched an investigation. State director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin confirmed that the footage was genuine and that the incident took place on January 7 at 9.07am.
CCTV recordings reportedly showed the station worker actively pumping RON95 into the Thai-registered vehicle, in breach of existing regulations. KPDN also said petrol stations nationwide had been notified as early as April 29, 2023, that RON95 must not be sold to foreign-registered vehicles.
Authorities have seized receipts, CCTV footage and other documents as part of the probe.
Under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, individuals who violate the rule face fines of up to RM1 million, jail terms of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders could be fined up to RM3 million or jailed for up to five years, while companies may face penalties of up to RM5 million.
