Cover image via FacebookFollow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
A couple caught on camera pumping over 70 litres of RON95 petrol into containers has had their MyKad permanently blocked from receiving fuel subsidies
The incident, which happened on 23 March at a petrol station in Mutiara Rini, Johor, quickly went viral after another driver recorded the pair in action and shared it on Facebook.
In the video, the man and woman can be seen filling petrol into white plastic containers placed in the boot of a black sedan with a Johor number plate.
They pumped more than three times the legal limit
The video showed the pair purchasing 71.77 litres of RON95 fuel, costing RM234.69.
Under regulations enforced by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Malaysians are allowed to fill up to 20 litres of petrol into containers without a special permit for legitimate uses, such as for machinery or boats.
That means the amount they pumped was more than 3.5 times the legal limit.
After filling the containers, the couple was also seen moving their car to another pump to refuel the vehicle's tank, a move that raised further suspicion.
In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said it views the incident seriously
Investigations found the person involved is a Malaysian citizen and a MyKad holder.
The ministry said the act "clearly violates regulations" by abusing fuel subsidies under the BUDI95 programme and could undermine efforts to ensure subsidies are properly targeted.
MOF confirmed it will block the MyKad used in the transaction and the vehicle owner from receiving BUDI95 benefits.
It also stressed that the government "will not compromise on any form of subsidy leakage or abuse", adding that enforcement will be stepped up.
The crackdown comes amid rising pressure on Malaysia's fuel subsidy system, with global supply disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz
More than half of Malaysia's oil supply passes through the route.
Fuel prices have increased in recent weeks:
- Non-subsidised RON95: RM3.27 per litre
- RON97: RM4.55 per litre
- Diesel (Peninsular Malaysia): RM4.72 per litre
Putrajaya projects that the cost of maintaining subsidised fuel will rise to RM3.2 billion per month. This expenditure is split between RON95 (RM2 billion) and diesel (RM1.2 billion), noting that diesel subsidies are still in effect for Sabah and Sarawak.
MOF also said it appreciates members of the public who reported the incident and encouraged others to continue providing information on suspicious subsidy-related activities.
