Malaysia battles fuel subsidy misuse after viral 71-litre petrol grab

Malaysia has vowed to crack down on fuel subsidy abuse after a viral video showed a woman illicitly buying 71 litres (18 gallons) of RON95 petrol in a single transaction, as regional supply concerns persist amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran.The finance ministry said late on Monday that investigators identified the customer as a Malaysian citizen.Both the identity card used in the purchase and the vehicle owner will be blocked from the inflation-easing fuel subsidy scheme. This programme allows Malaysians aged 16 and above with a MyKad and valid driving licence to buy up to 300 litres of RON95 per month at 1.99 ringgit per litre.The act had “clearly” breached the rules on fuel subsidies and could undermine efforts to keep the system targeted and transparent, the ministry said in a statement on social media.“The government will not compromise on any form of leakage and misuse of subsidies, especially in the current uncertain situation that requires close control over fuel supply and prices.”The response followed a video shared on social media last week, which reportedly showed the woman and a teenage boy pumping petrol into a plastic container in their car boot at a station in Johor Bahru.A post accompanying the clip asked if they were “stocking up at home” due to rising fuel prices.