Another incident involving a Singapore-registered vehicle attempting to illegally purchase subsidised RON95 petrol in Malaysia has surfaced, once again drawing attention to cross-border fuel misuse and enforcement challenges at Malaysian petrol stations.
The latest case reportedly took place at a fuel station in Changlun, Kedah, where staff noticed a suspicious vehicle behaviour late at night. According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the car, a Mazda 3 bearing Singapore origins, reverse-parked at a pump and attempted to refuel using RON95, which is strictly reserved for Malaysian-registered vehicles under local fuel subsidy regulations.
Unlike previous viral cases where drivers were caught using tape to alter licence plate characters, this incident involved a more elaborate attempt to deceive station staff. The driver allegedly replaced the original plate with one resembling a Malaysian registration, claiming the vehicle was registered in Sabah. Both Sabah and Singapore licence plates begin with the letter “S”, a detail believed to have been exploited in the ruse.
HOW THE DECEPTION WAS SPOTTED BY STAFF
Fuel station employees quickly grew suspicious due to inconsistencies in the vehicle’s appearance. A visible in-vehicle unit associated with Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing system reportedly raised immediate red flags. Staff members were also able to verify the car’s registration details, which confirmed it was registered in Singapore and therefore not eligible for subsidised petrol.
When confronted, the driver allegedly insisted the car was from Sabah, repeatedly asserting the claim despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Staff ultimately refused to dispense RON95 fuel and required the driver to refuel with RON97 instead, which is priced at market rates and permitted for foreign-registered vehicles.
Following the incident, the car was seen leaving the station and travelling north towards the Thailand border. Members of the public have since urged Malaysian authorities, including the police and road transport agencies, to investigate the matter further and take appropriate action if offences are confirmed.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL
This case has reignited public debate over fuel subsidy abuse, licence plate tampering, and road law enforcement involving foreign vehicles. Under Malaysian law, altering or misusing licence plates can carry serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment. For Singapore motorists, such actions also risk legal consequences back home, including insurance complications and potential blacklisting when crossing borders.
From a Singapore perspective, the incident highlights the importance of compliance with overseas road regulations, especially amid rising costs of fuel and car ownership. With petrol prices, car insurance premiums, and vehicle maintenance expenses remaining high, authorities on both sides continue to stress responsible driving behaviour and respect for local laws.
As cross-border travel between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand remains popular, enforcement vigilance at fuel stations is expected to intensify. Motorists are reminded that attempting to bypass fuel subsidy rules not only undermines public trust but may also result in severe legal and financial consequences.