BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Oil-rich Brunei will stop foreign-registered vehicles with fuel tanks less than three-quarters full from entering the country from April 1 in an effort to conserve fuel supplies during the conflict in the Middle East, its energy department said in a statement.
* Foreign motorists will only be allowed to purchase Shell V-Power gasoline or diesel from stations selling the fuels at current market prices, the statement released late Monday said.
* The requirement for three-quarter full tanks will also apply to Brunei-registered vehicles re-entering the country twice or more within 24 hours, the department said, adding that gas stations across the country have been asked to step up monitoring of vehicle registrations.
* Brunei is facing soaring subsidy costs as it bids to keep pump prices among the lowest in the region, with oil prices surging because of the war.
* Neighbouring Malaysia, which has a similar subsidy programme in place, last week said it would cut the monthly quota for subsidised RON95 transport fuel by 100 litres per user due to rising prices.
* Differences in retail pump prices between the two countries have sometimes encouraged fuel smuggling, with motorists travelling across the border from Malaysia to buy cheaper fuel in Brunei. - Reuters
