KPDN mulling proposal to allow Brunei-registered vehicles to purchase RON95 petrol in S’wak

MIRI (Aug 26): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will consider the proposal to allow Brunei-registered vehicles to purchase subsidised RON95 petrol from petrol stations here.

Its minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said he would take the proposal to the Finance Ministry in an engagement session in the near future.

“We will look into this proposal by looking at certain data and at the same time take into account the supply of RON97 petrol in Sarawak, especially in Miri. We will also look into the focus areas of visitors or tourists from Brunei to determine whether there is a supply problem of RON97 in the areas,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting with local leaders at the KPDN Miri office today.

Armizan said there had been proposals for KPDN to consider allowing Brunei-registered vehicles to purchase RON95, and the current policy only allows all foreign-registered vehicles to refuel RON97 at all petrol stations in the state.

“The reason for this proposal is because the price of subsidised RON95 in Brunei is much cheaper compared to ours. Hence, there would be no issue of smuggling diesel,” he said.

On another note, he said all foreign vehicles are allowed to fill up a maximum of 20 litres of Petrol in Sarawak with a maximum of 20 litres.

“However, if it’s beyond a 30km radius, there is no restriction on the maximum amount of refueling, provided it is only filled into their vehicle’s tank,” he said.

Recently, a Brunei convoy taking part in an offroad event here had taken to social media saying they were having difficulties filling up diesel as petrol stations here refused to sell diesel to foreign-registered vehicles.

Armizan explained it was a misunderstanding on the petrol station’s operators part on the selling of diesel to foreign vehicles.

“There is actually no issue at all with regards to foreign vehicles not allowed to refuel diesel throughout Sarawak,” he said.