THE Johor state government, in collaboration with the federal government, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the RON 95 fuel subsidy is exclusively available to Malaysian citizens, with no tolerance for abuse by foreign vehicle owners.
Bernama reported today that Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, stated that the authorities will take a firm stance on any violations that could undermine the subsidy system and the rights of local citizens.
"We will not compromise on non-compliance that could undermine the rights of the people," he declared.
Onn Hafiz shared that he, along with Lee Ting Han, the state’s Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chair, as well as enforcement officers from the Johor branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN), had conducted joint inspections at several petrol stations around Johor Bahru to ensure compliance with fuel regulations.
"We conducted these inspections to verify that RON 95 fuel is sold exclusively to Malaysian citizens, as per the regulations. Our checks also ensured that the price did not exceed the ceiling of RM2.05 per litre," Onn Hafiz explained in a Facebook post.
During the operation, the team also examined whether petrol station operators were adhering to the ban on selling RON 95 fuel to foreign-registered vehicles.
Additionally, they ensured that foreign vehicles within a 50-kilometre radius from the border were not exceeding the 20-litre diesel refuelling limit.
He assured that such operations would continue regularly to safeguard public interests and ensure that subsidies reach only those who are entitled to them.
"This effort will be ongoing to protect the rights of our people and ensure that subsidies are not misused," he added.
Onn Hafiz also called upon the public to play an active role in maintaining transparency in the distribution of subsidised fuel. He encouraged citizens to report any violations of fuel subsidy regulations via the KPDN e-Complaint Portal, where each complaint will be investigated thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken.
"We hope that these steps will help curb subsidy leakage and ensure that the benefits reach those who truly deserve them. Insya-Allah," he added. – April 5, 2025