A Singapore-registered vehicle has once again drawn attention online after it was allegedly seen pumping subsidised RON95 petrol at a Johor fuel station, reigniting debate over cross-border fuel misuse and tightening regulations in Malaysia.
Photos circulating on social media showed a white Honda Spada with Singapore licence plates refuelling at a Caltex station located in Eco Botanic, Johor. The image was shared on Whatsapp, a community known for highlighting questionable road-related behaviour involving Singapore vehicles both locally and across the Causeway.
According to the post, the incident allegedly took place on January 26, 2026, at around 3pm. RON95 petrol in Malaysia is heavily subsidised by the government and intended strictly for local use, making it significantly cheaper than higher-grade alternatives such as RON97 or RON100.
Foreign-registered vehicles, including those from Singapore, are not permitted to purchase RON95 and are expected to refuel using unsubsidised petrol options instead.
MALAYSIA MOVES TO TIGHTEN RON95 ENFORCEMENT
The Malaysian government has already signalled that it is drafting new rules aimed at closing enforcement gaps surrounding subsidised fuel usage by foreign vehicles. These proposed regulations are expected to come into force from April 1, 2026.
Under the current legal framework, enforcement action can only be taken against petrol station operators who sell RON95 to foreign-registered vehicles. Vehicle owners themselves are not directly penalised, which critics say has contributed to repeated cases surfacing online.
The upcoming changes are expected to allow authorities to take direct action against offending drivers, rather than placing the burden solely on fuel station staff. This policy shift comes amid rising concerns about subsidy leakages, particularly in border areas such as Johor, where cross-border traffic from Singapore is heavy.
RON95 was introduced as part of Malaysia’s cost-of-living support measures, and the fuel is easily identifiable by its yellow nozzle and yellow labelling at petrol stations nationwide.
REMINDER FOR SINGAPORE DRIVERS CROSSING THE CAUSEWAY
For Singapore motorists driving into Malaysia, the rules remain clear: foreign-registered vehicles should only refuel with RON97 or RON100 petrol. While these options are more expensive, they are not subsidised and are legally available to non-Malaysian vehicles.
With enforcement expected to become stricter in the coming months, drivers who frequently travel across the Causeway may want to stay informed to avoid potential fines, legal trouble, or public exposure online.
The repeated surfacing of such cases also highlights broader discussions around responsible cross-border driving, compliance with local laws, and the reputational impact on Singapore drivers as a whole.
As fuel prices, subsidies, and enforcement continue to evolve, both Malaysian authorities and foreign motorists will likely face increased scrutiny when it comes to petrol refuelling practices in border regions.