The lure of pumping RON95 petrol in Johor Bahru

Potong Pasir Election ResultBiometric Fingerprint System starts at Malaysia – Long jam at customs towards Johor Bahru

May 22nd, 2011 admin

Amongst the inflation experienced in Singapore, the increase in petrol price is one of the most felt items for motorists. The price of petrol has increase steadily over the past 2 years in Singapore, from a low of about S$1.65 in year 2009 for RON95 grade petrol to about S$2.10 at current rates (prices stated are before house discounts), a 27% increase.

Little wonder do you see streams of Singapore vehicles heading northward to Johor Bahru, motorist waking up as early as 4am to top up their petrol.

With the steady increase in price of RON97 grade petrol in Malaysia as well, there has been an obvious trend of Singaporeans topping up their tank with RON95 grade petrol in Johor Bahru. In Malaysia, there is a big differential between RON97 petrol (at RM2.90/litre) and RON95 Petrol (at RM1.90/litre). A typical Singapore-Registered vehicle can top up an average of about 25 litre/visit to Johor Bahru (assuming that you enter Johor Bahru with the petrol gauge just above the middle level). This equates to a saving/trip of:

For RON 97 Petrol: (25 X (S$2 – S$(2.9/2.4))) = S$19.80
For RON 95 Petrol: (25 X (S$1.85 – S$(1.9/2.4))) = S$26.45

We spoke to a few petrol station owners in Johor Bahru and all of them highlighted that there is a marked increase in business from Singapore-registered vehicles, especially at late night. There have also been more motorists from Singapore topping up using RON95 petrol.

RON97 or RON95? Which is the nozzle you should pick up?

As you might be aware by now, it is against the law in Malaysia for a Singaporean to top-up the petrol tank using RON95 petrol, as this grade of petrol is subsidized for Malaysians only. Recently, 4 Singaporean motorists had been caught topping up their fuel tank at a Mobile petrol station along Tebrau highway – the authorities had been lying in wait with cameras at this petrol station, snapping away while the Singaporean motorists were topping up the tank. When asked to produce MyKad by the authorities, all the 4 Singaporean motorist were unable to do so and slapped with a fine. The owner of the petrol station has also been issued a warning and subsequent offences may mean that the operational rights for the petrol station owner will be revoked.

For those of you whom “hiong-ed” across the causeway with less than half-tank and top up RON95 petrol in Malaysia, do be mindful of the risks you are taking. In addition, do look out for suspicious characters looming around the petrol station. They may not be the robbers and gangsters you commonly associate with in Johor Bahru, but official personnel whom could also burn a hole in your pocket.

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Entry Filed under: News and Information

11 Comments Add your own

1. donnkey | May 24th, 2011 at 12:49 PM

u did not include the toll charge of 2.9rg .also most of them will buy a pack of ciggie back. not forgetting sg custom have random check of oil gauge. look like they dont check at night thats y a lot of these group come down at wee hour

[Reply]
Sinkie Reply:
May 24th, 2011 at 5:32 PM
Thought there is a 50 km radius where all petrol stations within this not allowed to sell RON 95 petrol to SG plated cars unless the drivers are Malaysians (can produce their Mykads)..so any station outside this 50 km radius can sell 95 petrol to Sinkies?

[Reply]
admin Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Hi Sinkie, all petrol stations in Malaysia are not allowed to sell RON95 petrol to drivers of Singapore registered vehicle – whether if you are a Singaporean or a Malaysian.

Conversely, all drivers of Malaysia-Registered vehicles can pump RON95 petrol, where if the driver is a Singaporean or a Malaysian.

[Reply]
2. 30mins | May 27th, 2011 at 9:55 AM

“sinkie” – Singaporeans are not allowed to pump RON 95 in Malaysia at all.

Yes, there are uncover cops who pounce on you to ask you for your identity. So please don’t take the LAW for granted.

A new change of using the finger print scanning at the customs was reported in the papers. To be implemented this June. Wonder how it will affect us.

[Reply]
3. Peter | May 29th, 2011 at 12:45 AM

Hi, i pump shell oil and i like to know if there is anything wrong to pump 97 oil? is it true tt after long time of malaysia oil, one has to change its oil filter?

i always try to go in almost empty..do they have plain clothes police to catch pple like me? -_-

[Reply]
Sinkie Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 12:32 AM
Peter, those mats won’t give a damn how much you pump unless you’re pumping RON95. But pls dun “tarpao” the petrol back in separate containers – our customs will surely catch you..

[Reply]
4. sage28 | May 29th, 2011 at 11:29 PM

those of u who have smile card accumulate of more than 1000 point which u can redeem 15rg of oil take noted jun one there is a change oif redeem 950point can redeem 10rg . 1600 redeem 20 . 3000redeem 45rg.
only 3000point remain unchange . still got 2 day for u guys to redeem what u can

[Reply]
5. Cheapo | July 17th, 2011 at 1:02 PM

Would like to know of any ulu,ulu petrol kiosks in JB still allow pumping of Ron95 for cheapo like me?

Dun think the mats ther so hardworking to camp at 3-4am just to video SG cars pumping Ron 95?

If anyone knws,plz share!Thks!

[Reply]
admin Reply:
July 30th, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Hi Cheapo, this is what a few of our visitors share with us..

Most staffs will lockup the entrance to the air-con store during late night, leaving a small opening at the counter to do collection.

This means that it is very difficult for the staff to detect if the car at the petrol pump is a Singapore registered vehicle (if you park right at the last pump away from the counter), since they will not bother to step out of the air-con store. Hope you get the drift – but do this at your own risk – unlikely that the ministry officials are so hardworking but it is no certainty!

[Reply]
6. sheryl | October 10th, 2011 at 3:24 PM

Hi! If im a malaysian driving singapore registered vehicle, can i pump RON95 then?

[Reply]
admin Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Hi Sherly, cannot! All drivers of Singapore-Registered Vehicles (regardless of nationality) cannot pump RON95 petrol in Malaysia.

[Reply]