M'sian couple pumping 71 litres of petrol into containers at petrol station banned from buying subsidised petrol

A man and woman at a petrol station in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, were caught on camera pumping 71 litres of petrol into hidden plastic containers, contravening a Malaysian law that bans fuel purchases outside vehicle tanks exceeding 20 litres.

The pair's actions were recorded by the driver of another car at the station and uploaded to Facebook, captioned "Did they see that gas prices have increased and pumped more as spare?"

According to The Star, this has caused the woman to lose her fuel subsidy privileges.

The Malaysian Finance Ministry announced that it had launched an investigation following the viral video, saying the person involved was a Malaysian with MyKad.

"Their actions are a violation of regulations and an abuse of the Budi95 fuel subsidy," the ministry said in a statement.

They have also barred the person who purchased the petrol and the owner of the vehicle from using the Budi95 subsidy.

The ministry said the government will not compromise any abuse of the Budi95 subsidy, "especially during a volatile time that requires strict control of fuel supply and price".

According to The New Straits Times, the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act and the Control of Supplies Regulations.

Those found guilty under these acts can be fined up to RM1 million (S$325,001) or jailed for up to three years, or both, for the first offence.

Video

Clips of the incident showed them pumping the fuel into white containers in the boot of a black sedan with a Johor car plate.

The reading at the pump showed that 71.77 litres of petrol were purchased, costing RM234.69 (S$76.36).

They then moved the car to another petrol pump to refuel the car's gas tank.

According to the post, the incident occurred at a Petronas petrol station in Johor Bahru.

It read: "Even though it's a Malaysian license plate, who knows what the oil in these plastic buckets will be used for? What if everyone does this and there is suddenly an accident or fire or explosion?"

An existing law under Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living prevents the collection of more than 20 litres of fuel in containers without a valid permit.

"If this continues, the country's deficit will increase significantly, and ultimately the entire population will have to foot the bill," a commenter said.

Image from Facebook