Foreigners not allowed to purchase subsidised items

JOHOR BAHRU - The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry stated on Saturday that foreign citizens are not allowed to purchase subsidised goods.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, said the action (of purchasing subsidised goods in the country) was a serious offence and could be charged according to the country's laws.

"The policy is clear; foreign citizens can’t purchase subsidised Malaysian goods, that is a serious offence.

"I hope the incident that happened a few days ago, which reported that the buyer did not manage to purchase fuel (Ron95), based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

"However, I would like explanations from the petrol station owner. We have given emphasis that Ron95 could not be sold to any foreign citizens; if they did so, they would be charged because it is a subsidised item only for Malaysians," he said.

Salahuddin was speaking during a press conference to announce the IITV Learning Rahmah Package in conjunction with the Johor Bahru District Education Office Year 2023 Monthly Assembly and Education Appreciation on Saturday.

His comments followed reports of an incident involving a foreign citizen attempting to refill the Ron95 in a canister at a petrol station in Iskandar Puteri on Wednesday.

Salahuddin said he wanted to review the CCTV footage first and thoroughly observe the report regarding the incident.

"I want to review the CCTV footage before making any decision," he said.