The Malaysian government is set to expand the enforcement of regulations prohibiting the sale and purchase of subsidised RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles, effective 1 April 2026. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, announced that the new measures represent a significant tightening of the existing legal framework. Previously, legal accountability for such transactions rested solely with petrol station operators, but the upcoming changes will shift responsibility to a broader range of participants.
Under the revised enforcement strategy, the law will now explicitly include the drivers or owners of foreign-registered vehicles who are found violating the ban. This adjustment aims to create a more comprehensive deterrent against the misuse of government-subsidised fuel. By holding both the seller and the buyer accountable, the ministry hopes to close previous loopholes that allowed foreign motorists to circumvent national fuel policies at the pump.
Datuk Armizan clarified that this legislative expansion follows a parliamentary presentation made on 29 January, which outlined the government’s commitment to curbing fuel subsidy leakages. The move is part of a larger national initiative to ensure that multi-billion ringgit subsidies benefit only eligible Malaysian citizens. This policy shift is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on the national treasury caused by unauthorised fuel consumption by non-residents.
To support these new regulations, the ministry will intensify its monitoring efforts through the implementation of OPS Tiris 4.0 (Integrated). This operation will focus particularly on high-risk border regions where fuel smuggling and illegal refuelling activities are most prevalent. Enforcement officers will be deployed to conduct frequent inspections and ensure that both station operators and foreign vehicle users are adhering to the strict prohibition of RON95 sales.
The Minister issued a stern warning that the government will not compromise with any individuals, syndicates, or business owners involved in the misappropriation of subsidised fuel. Stringent legal action will be taken against offenders in accordance with existing laws to maintain the integrity of the subsidy system. Additionally, members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activities related to fuel smuggling to the authorities to assist in these national enforcement efforts.
