JOHOR BARU: The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has issued a stern reminder to petrol station operators statewide to stay alert and vigilant against foreign-registered vehicles attempting to refuel with RON95 petrol.
Its director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the matter had been emphasised during previous engagement sessions with petrol station operators to prevent such incidents from occurring.
“We have reminded all petrol station operators in the state that they must remain alert, aware and sensitive if they spot any foreign-registered vehicles refuelling with RON95 petrol.
“Some operators claimed their crew might have overlooked such incidents, but we will ensure the issue does not keep recurring,” she told reporters after the state-level Customer Day Programme for the Subsidised Petrol Control System at Econsave Taman Teratai, Skudai on Tuesday (Oct 7).
She added that engagement sessions with other relevant departments and agencies would also be held.
“We will hold engagement sessions to seek their cooperation, particularly in placing reminders or notices at border entry points before foreign vehicles enter the state.
“This is necessary because there are still some individuals who attempt to refuel with RON95 petrol and claim to be Malaysians.
“But even if you are a Malaysian, if you are using a foreign-registered vehicle, you are not allowed to use RON95 petrol and must instead use RON97,” she said.
Lilis Saslinda said a total of 10 cases involving foreign-registered vehicles using RON95 petrol have been recorded since the beginning of this year, including three detected since the implementation of the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative, as well as cases that went viral on social media.
“Out of that number, seven cases occurred in Johor Baru, followed by one each in Kota Tinggi, Pontian and Segamat.
“We conduct enforcement operations under Op Tiris to monitor the implementation of the Budi Madani initiative at petrol stations.
“We also take viral cases very seriously. The officers will seek clarification, review closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and conduct investigations to determine whether there was a breach of the law,” she added.
