JOHOR BARU - SINGAPOREANS are complaining that a ruling banning
foreign-registered vehicles from filling up with RON 95 petrol is
unfair to them.
They are also confused about whether they are totally prohibited
from buying petrol in Malaysia or if they are allowed to buy
limited quantities of lower grade fuel. For most Singaporeans,
apparently, it is the cheaper fuel here that draws them to Malaysia
and Johor in particular. Singaporean civil servant Tok Eng Seng,
38, said the frequent changes in the petrol ruling were confusing.
'We spend a lot of money here and we should be allowed to fill up
with whichever type of petrol we want,' he added.
Another Singaporean, property agent Eric Tan, 43, said the lower
price of fuel was the only attraction that led to many Singaporeans
coming to the state. 'I believe sales of products in Johor Baru
will go down once the ruling is enforced,' he said, adding that the
move was bad for Malaysia's tourism.
Art, photography and design executive Alex Soh, 37, also felt
that many Singaporeans would not come to Johor if the price of
petrol was increased. 'Cheaper petrol is one of the major
attractions,' he added.
Derrick Cheng, 53, said many Singaporeans were unclear about the
issue. 'I heard people saying that the price of petrol would go up
while others say that we (Singaporeans) can still buy the lower
grade of petrol but are only allowed to purchase 20 litres,' he
said.'It is unfair to charge separate rates for foreigners because
it doesn't comply with the free trade system that is supposed to be
practised by the Malaysian Government,' he added.
Salesman Ken Tan, 28, said there were traffic jams at the
Causeway and because of that, many Singaporeans expected cheaper
petrol when they return to their country. Brandon Teh, 26, a
Malaysian who drives a Singapore-registered car, is even more
puzzled by the changes in petrol purchase. 'I am a Malaysian and I
deserve to get subsidised fuel. But now, I'm stuck,' said the sales
executive.
-- THE STAR/ANN
