Following the reopening of Malaysia’s border with Singapore, many Singaporean-registered vehicles have been caught pumping petrol RON95 petrol at petrol stations in Johor Bahru.
However, this is in violation of Malaysian law as foreign vehicles are only allowed to use RON97 petrol as RON95 is heavily subsidised by the Malaysian government, where every litre of RON95 costs RM1.70.
‘Sia suey!’
In a viral photo uploaded by the Singaporean online media outlet SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook, a man was spotted pumping RON95 petrol into his Mercedes at a Petron gas station in Century Garden, Johor Bahru.
The post was later reposted to the group JB TRACER: Johor Bahru Traffic, Crime & Community Service Report, where it triggered a storm of heated comments from netizens.
Many slammed the driver as “sia suay”, a Hokkien slang used to describe someone who brings shame to others and himself and mocked him for being a “cheapskate” by pumping heavily subsidised petrol into his luxury car.
“Hahahahaha drive Mercedes but pump RON95, xia suey”
“Drive Mercedes, use better petrol to protect engine, don’t use RON95.”
“Got money to buy Merc, no money pump… xia suay.”
“How ironic when he is just standing beside the sign stating no filling up of RON95 for SG vehicles.”
“Cheapo!!!!”
“Drive conti car but cannot afford to buy good petrol. Jialat liao.”
According to CNA, Malaysia has imposed a ban prohibiting the sale of RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles since Aug 1, 2010, where operators are liable to hefty fines if found breaking the law under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
It’s unrelated to the article but here’s our brand-new podcast – Talk Je Lah!
Cover Images via Facebook
Editor: Sarah Yeoh
