THE driver of a Volkswagen Jetta with a Singapore registration number, who was caught filling up with RON95 two weeks ago, was fined RM9,000 by the Kulai Magistrate's Court today for displaying a registration number that does not belong to the vehicle.
Long Sa Kow, 64, pleaded guilty after the charge was read out to him by a court interpreter in English before Magistrate R Salini.
The court also ordered him to be jailed for nine months if he fails to pay the fine.
Based on the charge sheet, the Singapore permanent resident (PR) is charged as the driver of a silver Volkswagen Jetta with registration number SLJ 8967 M for displaying a registration number that does not belong to the vehicle.
For the act committed at a petrol station at Batu 21/4, Jalan Johor Bahru - Ayer Hitam, at about 10.30 pm, January 2, he was charged under Section 108(3)(e) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a fine of up to RM20,000 or a maximum prison sentence of five years or both, if convicted.
Lawyer for the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), Sharmaine Fairuz Mohd Zulkifli, representing Long, requested a minimum fine since he is a pensioner and has no regular income.
"He supports a wife who is also a housewife and three children, two of whom are still studying and in school. This is his first offence, and he promises not to repeat his act and will comply with the laws and regulations set by the Malaysian Government," he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor S Thiviya requested the court to impose a deterrent and educational sentence.
Based on the facts of the case, on January 4, the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Kulai District Police Headquarters (IPD) detected a video on Facebook showing a silver Volkswagen Jetta with registration number LJ 8967 filling up with RON95 at a petrol station in this district.
The investigation found that Long, as the driver of the vehicle that should have had registration number SLJ 8967 M, covered up the letters S and M on the registration number to fill up with subsidised RON95 petrol. – January 14, 2026
