Malaysia to prohibit foreign debit and credit cards from being used for RON95 fuel purchases in a move aimed at preventing subsidy abuse

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will reportedly begin phasing in restrictions on the use of foreign credit and debit cards for RON95 petrol purchases nationwide starting Wednesday.

According to Berita Harian, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the measure is intended to ensure fuel subsidies are reserved for eligible Malaysians and to curb misuse, including by foreign-registered vehicles.

He said the new system is designed to strengthen control over RON95 transactions at all petrol stations nationwide.

“Previously, there were many cases of foreign-registered vehicles using foreign debit or credit cards at self-service pumps, making it difficult for operators and enforcement agencies to detect such purchases,” he was quoted as saying.

Azman added that foreign card users will instead be required to pay at the counter, allowing for improved monitoring and enforcement.

He also said the move would help petrol stations better identify irregularities at high-traffic sites and prevent ineligible users from accessing subsidised fuel.

He noted that while some oil companies are ready to implement the system immediately, others will roll it out in stages.