A Singapore PR holder was fined RM9,000 after altering his car plate to buy subsidised RON95 petrol meant for Malaysians
PETALING JAYA: A retiree who holds Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status was fined RM9,000 by a Magistrate’s Court for altering his car registration plate in an attempt to purchase subsidised RON95 petrol.
The accused, 64-year-old Long Sa Kow, arrived at the court at 7.50am on Wednesday (14 January) wearing a cap and facemask, according to The Star.
Long was charged with displaying a registration number that did not belong to his silver, German-made vehicle at a petrol station in Batu 21/4, Jalan Johor Bahru–Air Hitam, at about 10.30pm on January 2.
Residing in Singapore, Long requested that the charge be read in English, stating that he did not understand Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin. He subsequently pleaded guilty before Magistrate R. Salini.
During the reading of the case facts by the court interpreter, Long attempted to question the details, prompting the magistrate to reprimand him twice for interrupting the proceedings.
After Long expressed disagreement with the facts, the court called a 30-minute recess to allow the magistrate to explain the matter to him in English.
Upon resumption, the court heard that Long had allegedly concealed several letters on his car registration plate to enable him to fill up with RON95 petrol, which is subsidised and reserved for Malaysians.
His actions were captured on video and circulated on social media, prompting a police investigation.
Investigations later revealed that the vehicle’s engine and chassis numbers were registered in Singapore.
The offence, under Section 108(3)(e) of the Road Transport Act 1987, carries a penalty of a fine between RM5,000 and RM20,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor S. Thiviya urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence to deter similar offences, stressing that the accused had deliberately altered his registration number to enjoy benefits meant exclusively for locals and Malaysian-registered vehicles.
Counsel from the National Legal Aid Foundation, Sharmaine Fairuz Mohd Zulkifli, appealed for leniency, citing Long’s status as a retiree with no fixed income and three children.
The court ultimately imposed a fine of RM9,000, with a default sentence of nine months’ imprisonment. Long paid the fine.
