Singapore PR, 64, Fined S$2,600 for Altering Licence Plate to Buy Subsidised Petrol in Johor
A 64-year-old Singapore permanent resident has been fined RM9,000, or about S$2,600, by a Malaysian court after being caught altering his vehicle’s licence plate to illegally purchase subsidised RON95 petrol in Johor. The case highlights the legal risks Singapore motorists face when attempting to bypass Malaysia’s fuel subsidy rules.
The man, identified as Long Sa Kow, pleaded guilty at the Kulai Magistrate’s Court to displaying a registration number that did not belong to his Volkswagen Jetta. Under Malaysian law, tampering with vehicle registration plates is a serious offence, particularly when it is done to gain access to benefits reserved exclusively for Malaysian vehicles.
The incident reportedly took place at a petrol station along Jalan Johor Bahru–Air Hitam in Kulai at around 10.30pm on January 2. Investigations later revealed that the original Singapore registration number on the vehicle had been partially concealed to make it appear local, allowing the car to refuel using subsidised RON95 petrol.
COURT HEARS PLEA FOR LENIENCY
During the court proceedings, Long appealed for leniency, citing the absence of a fixed income. He was represented by a lawyer from Malaysia’s National Legal Aid Foundation, who told the court that Long supports a wife who is a housewife, as well as three children, two of whom are still schooling.
The hearing also saw an unusual moment when Long reportedly interrupted the interpreter while the charge was being read, attempting to dispute certain details before being instructed by the magistrate to allow the proceedings to continue properly.
His lawyer emphasised that this was Long’s first offence and said he had expressed remorse, assuring the court that he would not repeat the act and would comply with Malaysian laws moving forward.
However, the prosecution took a firm stance, urging the court to impose a deterrent sentence. The deputy public prosecutor argued that such offences should carry educational value, not just for the accused but also as a warning to others who may be tempted to exploit Malaysia’s fuel subsidies.
INTENT TO EXPLOIT SUBSIDISED FUEL
According to reports cited by Malaysian media, the court was asked to consider Long’s intention in altering the registration number. Prosecutors argued that the act was deliberately carried out to enjoy privileges meant for Malaysians, including access to heavily subsidised petrol prices.
Further investigations confirmed that the vehicle’s original registration number had its letters covered, changing its appearance sufficiently to pass as a Malaysian-registered car. Police have since reiterated that any attempt to alter, obscure or misrepresent vehicle plates is illegal and will be dealt with seriously.
If Long fails to pay the RM9,000 fine, he faces a jail term of up to nine months. His case has since become a cautionary example frequently cited in discussions among Singapore drivers who regularly cross the Causeway for errands, leisure or fuel.
A REMINDER FOR SINGAPORE MOTORISTS
The case serves as a timely reminder that while fuel prices across the border remain significantly lower than in Singapore, subsidised RON95 petrol is strictly reserved for Malaysian vehicles. Attempts to circumvent this rule can lead to heavy fines, criminal records and even imprisonment.
Authorities on both sides of the border have repeatedly warned against such practices, stressing that cost-saving shortcuts are not worth the long-term consequences. For Singapore motorists, the message is clear: compliance with local laws is not optional, and respect for regulations abroad is just as important as following them at home.