KL to let Malaysians with S'pore driving licences tap fuel subsidy

RON95 petrol subsidy scheme only for Malaysian drivers with local licences

- Muzliza Mustafa Malaysia Correspondent

Malaysia will set up a registration system for its citizens who hold Singapore driving li-cences, as they currently cannot enjoy the new subsidy scheme for RON95 petrol implemented nationwide on Sept 30.

According to the Transport Ministry, the system will allow Malaysians who have surrendered their Malaysia licences for Singapore permits to meet work requirements there to also take advantage of the scheme.

The system is expected to take two weeks to complete, and until then, the Malaysians affected will not be able to enjoy the subsidy. While the exact number is unknown, Transport Minister Anthony Loke noted that between 200,000 and 250,000 Malaysians cross into Singapore daily for work.

"They are entitled to the subsidy. In principle, they are Malaysians and live in Malaysia. The only thing different is that they hold Singapore driving licences," Mr Loke told a press conference at his office in Putrajaya on Sept 30.

"But we need a bit more time because the data kept by the Singapore authorities is not integrated with ours," he added, explaining that privacy laws in Singapore prevented data sharing with Malaysia's Road Transport Department.

Under the new scheme called Bu-di95 announced on Sept 22, Malaysians can buy RON95 fuel at RM1.99 (60 Singapore cents) per litre, capped at 300 litres a month. In comparison, non-citizens pay RM2.60, while those with foreign-registered vehicles can buy only the premium RON97 petrol.