New rule: Singapore-registered driver first to be arrested in Johor\nfor allegedly pumping subsidised fuel<\/p>\n
If convicted, the man faces a fine of up to RM1 million (US$252,200),\na maximum jail term of three years, or both.<\/p>\n
JOHOR BAHRU: The driver of a Singapore-registered car who allegedly\npumped subsidised RON95 fuel has reportedly become the first person to\nbe arrested in Johor since new rules kicked in on Apr 1.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday (Apr 10), Johor division director of the\nDomestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Lilis Saslinda Pornomo\nsaid the man was detained during an enforcement operation at a petrol\nstation in Johor at about 10pm on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cObservations found that a Singapore-registered vehicle was\nrefuelling RON95 petrol into its tank,\u201d Lilis was quoted as saying by\nlocal news outlet the New Straits Times (NST), which also reported that\nthe driver was a Singaporean man in his 50s.<\/p>\n
Other media, including Bernama and Radio Television Malaysia,\nidentified him only as a foreigner.<\/p>\n
\u201cActing on the information and observation, enforcement officers\ndetained the driver (and stopped him) from continuing to pump RON95\npetrol,\u201d NST quoted Lilis as saying.<\/p>\n
She added that further checks were conducted, including a review of\nclosed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the petrol station, purchase\nreceipts and statements from station employees.<\/p>\n
The black Honda Civic, CCTV recordings and other related documents\nwere seized.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe suspect, a man believed to be the driver and owner of a Honda\nCivic, was also detained to assist investigations,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961\nfor the offence of purchasing controlled goods, namely RON95 petrol,\nusing a foreign-registered vehicle.<\/p>\n
Under rules that came into force on Apr 1, authorities can take\naction against both the owner of a foreign-registered vehicle and the\npetrol station operator.<\/p>\n
Previously, only petrol station operators were penalised for selling\nsubsidised fuel to foreign-registered vehicles.<\/p>\n
If convicted, the man faces a fine of up to RM1 million (US$252,200),\na jail term of up to three years, or both, local media reported.<\/p>\n
Repeat offenders face fines of up to RM3 million, a jail term of up\nto five years, or both.<\/p>\n
For companies, fines can reach RM2 million, rising to RM5 million for\nsubsequent offences.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohor KPDN remains committed to strengthening enforcement activities\nto curb any form of leakage involving controlled goods, particularly\nRON95 petrol, to ensure government subsidies benefit Malaysians,\u201d said\nLilis, as quoted by NST.<\/p>\n
Malaysia has long barred foreign-registered vehicles from purchasing\nsubsidised RON95 petrol \u2014 a policy in place since 2010 to ensure public\nfunds benefit citizens. The fuel is currently priced at RM1.99 (US$0.50)\nper litre for eligible Malaysians.<\/p>\n
Petrol station operators told CNA previously that enforcement has\nintensified, with KPDN officers conducting near-weekly inspections at\nstations in Johor amid the global fuel supply crunch.<\/p>\n
Checks have also ramped up in border areas such as Kelantan and\nKedah, targeting not just fuel but other subsidised goods vulnerable to\ncross-border arbitrage, including sugar, flour, cooking oil, chicken and\nbread.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-malaysia-rule-driver-of-singapore-registered-car-first-to-be-arrested-in-johor-for-pumping-subsidised-fuel-1775897448", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }