Singapore PR Retiree Fined RM9,000 for Tampering Car Plate to Buy Subsidised RON95

KULAI, Jan 14: A 64-year-old Singapore permanent resident, Long Sa Kow, has been fined RM9,000 by a magistrate’s court for tampering with his car registration plate in an attempt to purchase subsidized RON95 petrol intended only for Malaysians.

Long appeared in court at 7:50am on Wednesday wearing a cap and face mask. He was accused of displaying a car registration number that did not belong to his silver German-made vehicle at a petrol station in Batu 21/4, Jalan Johor Baru-Air Hitam, at around 10:30pm on January 2.

Unable to understand Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin, Long requested the charge be read in English. He subsequently pleaded guilty before Magistrate R. Salini. During proceedings, Long questioned certain details of the case, prompting the magistrate to remind him twice not to interrupt the interpreter.

After a 30-minute recess to clarify the facts in English, the court heard that Long had concealed several letters on his car plate to illegally purchase the subsidized fuel. The offense was captured in a video circulating on social media, which led police to investigate. They found that the vehicle’s engine and chassis numbers were registered in Singapore.

The offense, under Section 108(3)(e) of the Road Transport Act 1987, carries a penalty of a fine between RM5,000 and RM20,000, or one to five years’ imprisonment, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor S. Thiviya urged the court to impose a stern sentence to deter similar actions, noting that Long had attempted to gain privileges intended for Malaysian-registered vehicles.

Represented by National Legal Aid Foundation counsel Sharmaine Fairuz Mohd Zulkifli, Long sought a lower fine, citing his fixed-income retirement and responsibility for three children.

The court sentenced Long to pay RM9,000, with a default jail term of nine months if unpaid. Long paid the fine in court.