* Forum

* Contribute

* About Us

* Contact Us

* Privacy Policy

* Search

New Directive: Singapore Cars can only pump 20 Litres Petrol in Malaysia
Its official!! Fuel Cap on Singapore-Registered Vehicles to 20 litres of Petrol in Malaysia!

December 15th, 2009 admin

The dreaded date has finally come.

Starting 16th Dec 2009, Singapore Registered Vehicles can only pump up to a maximum of 20 litres of petrol in Malaysia (including Johor Bahru). This means that the petrol stations in Malaysia/Johor Bahru will only allow you to pump up to 20 litres of petrol. Failing which, petrol stations can be fined up to RM250,000 while you can be fined up to RM100,000 if you do not adhere to the new ruling.

In our earlier posting here, we highlighted concerns on how the a poorly implemented ruling can cause confusion and inconvenience to owners of Singapore-Registered vehicles.

At Limsimi.com, we now compile some of the frequently asked questions and hope to provide an insight of what you can expect in Johor Bahru starting tomorrow. It is indeed a sad day for owners of Singapore-Registered vehicles.

Q: How can the ruling be enforced? I can just pump petrol beyond 20 litres and no one will really know.
A: Plain-clothes enforcement officers will be deployed to petrol stations in border towns, including Johor Bahru. They will be authorised to issue summon while can lead to a RM100,000 fine for you.

Q: It is easy for me to “play trick”. I can just pump 20 litres and go to another petrol station to pump another 20 litres of petrol until my fuel tank is full.
A: You might possible get away with that for now, while the dust has not really settled. We do not discount the measure by the Malaysian government to close up this loophole in the medium term.

Q: Really, do I need to exit Malaysia with only 20 litres of Petrol?
A: The Malaysian Government are sensitive enough not to apply this measure to Singapore-Registered Vehicles. So you can leave Johor Bahru with a full tank without any concerns. Unless the Government do an about-turn (unlikely).

Q: Where will the fuel cap ruling not apply in Malaysia?
A: 50 km from border. Means you count 50km from the Johor Bahru CIQ. There is no official list of exempted petrol stations, so you use your own judgement and pray that you are really outside the 50km zone.

Q: Shouldn’t petrol stations be responsible to make sure I do not top up beyond 20 litres?
A: This ruling comes like lightning and caught everyone unprepared. Petrol Stations will not be ready to take on this responsibility – the new processes and infrastructure to control the 20 litre cap is not defined. So the onus is still on you to advert a sticky situation with the enforcement officers.

Q: Why this stupid measure????
A: The aim is really intended up North near the Thai Border where petrol smuggling are rampant. Singapore is the lesser evil but I guess the Malaysian Government has long wanted to implement this measure to prevent fuel subsidies to be enjoyed by Singaporeans too.

Q: 20 litres, enough or not?!
A: For most cars, 20 litres of fuel is still a decent 30% of the petrol tank capacity. For those very fuel efficient vehicles, it is actually enough for you to make a one way trip from Johor Bahru to KL! Therefore, this new ruling does not really affect most owners of Singapore-Registered vehicles IF they have been adhering to the 3/4 tank rule by Singapore before departure. The bigger concern over all these hoo-haa are on implementation measures by Malaysian authorities which might lead to confusion and worries on profiteering by enforcement officers and petrol station owners.

Q: Hasn’t anyone spoken out against this?
A: The MP of Johor (Senior Johor politician Shahrir Sama) is against this. It is a natural reaction as we all the know impact to Johor Bahru tourism. He is not the only one though. The team at limsimi.com, our readers and I am sure most Singaporeans and Malaysian PRs are against this too! In fairness, it is a measure by the government to keep subsidies to Malaysians and Malaysians only. Most Singaporeans will probably get used to this ruling over time and it will be back to business as usual within weeks.

Q: What can you expect in the next coming days?
A: Confusion, frustration and disappointment for people across both sides of the causeway. Business in JB might dip as Singaporeans have less incentive to travel to Johor Bahru. There might be cases of profiteering from enforcement officers (corruption), petrol station owners and con-men who impose themselves as the legitimate enforcement officers.

Q: So what should I do?
A: Stay tuned to Limsimi.com as we bring you more updates in the coming days.

Q: Any other useful information?
A: Time to dig out your misplaced Singapore Shell, Mobile and SPC points cards. You are going to use it more frequently now!

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates in Johor Bahru! Enter your email address below:

http://www.petrolwatch.com.sg/news/archives/286/weekly-discount-roundup-nov-09-nov-15.html#comment-9942

A friend of mine bought a 1.6 Honda Civic recently. When we asked the sales exce, who happen be a rather attractive former SIA stewardness, her reply was 12 - 13km /litre. She added that this figure was very good, for a 1.6l saloon car. When we further probe how much the 1.8 variant would consume, her reply was, you only get 1km less per litre. Looking at the bigger picture, a full tank of ard 50 litre would meant 50 km saved if the 1.6 was chosen.

My friend bought the 1.6 anyway although he could well afford the 1.8.