S’pore BMW Caught Pumping 95 Fuel in M’sia; Petrol Station Investigated But Driver Was Let Go

Singaporeans love Malaysia.

With an exchange rate of SGD$1 is to RM$3, Singaporeans flock to Malaysia to feel three times richer than they are in Singapore.

We love Malaysia for many things: a somewhat affordable escape room, cafe food at cheaper prices, good street food and many more.

But there is one thing we are not allowed to love Malaysia for and that is its petrol, though technically we aren’t supposed to love it.

No Pumping Of 95 Fuel For S’poreans

Lest you’re not aware, petrol usually comes in three “grades”: 92, 95 and 98. If you’re driving an old car, you usually just pump 92 that’s cheaper, and if you’re driving a new and powerful car, you’d go for 98.

Malaysia put in a law in 2010 that no foreign car is allowed to pump Research Octane Number (RON) 95 fuel.

This is because taxes are being used to subsidise the price of the fuel which is meant to help Malaysians. It would not be fair for foreigners to benefit from the lower price point because they simply do not contribute to the tax.

Another thing about Singaporeans is that Singaporeans love a good deal.

There are some rules in life that we just cannot accept or cannot understand.

When this happens, we do things to circumvent them. or quote things like “you can do anything you want as long as you don’t get caught”.

This may be true for some things (like lying down and watching YouTube videos before your mom comes home to nag), but there are consequences of getting caught (a whole new round of nagging).

Like This BMW

The owner of a Singapore registered BMW car felt the heat of getting caught pumping RON95 in a petrol kiosk in Larkin, Johor. This is a 10 minutes drive from the customs.

The photo was taken by a member of the public who sent in the complaint. The authorities quickly took action and caught the Singaporean red-handed.

It is reported that the petrol kiosk will be investigated but no action will be taken against the Singaporean driver.

Not a green light to continue doing so 

While the owner of this BMW may get off scot-free, it does not mean that you can do the same. Earlier this year, a man was caught at had to pay a fine of $1,805 for entering Malaysia illegally to pump petrol.

While you may get away with breaking the rules in petrol kiosks with people who cannot care less, there may be an occasion where you get caught.

Three quarter tank rule 

Malaysia is very protective over its oil supply and is understandably so. Oil is a commodity that is high in demand and is expensive. It is not right for Singaporeans to take advantage of that and impoverish a country of its resources.

The three quarter tank rule states that Singaporean cars entering Malaysia must have at least 3/4 of their fuel tank full. This is to ensure that we are not simply entering Malaysia to fill up our tanks and come back to Singapore.

If you get caught cannot get angry hor! Tell you already. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry!