Malaysia to Restrict Foreign Card Use for RON95 Fuel Starting April 1
Malaysia to Restrict Foreign Card Use for RON95 Fuel Starting April 1
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has announced that foreign credit and debit cards will be blocked from purchasing RON95 petrol at self-service pumps nationwide, effective April 1, 2026. The measure targets foreign-registered vehicles that have been accessing subsidised RON95 fuel, ensuring that only eligible users benefit from the subsidy. According to Azman Adam, the system will automatically filter transactions at the pump, helping to prevent misuse while reducing the enforcement burden on petrol station operators.
Despite the restriction, foreign-issued cards can still be used for over-the-counter payments, though not at the pump. In addition, foreign-registered vehicles will only be allowed to refuel with RON97 petrol, further strengthening control over subsidised fuel distribution. The rollout will be implemented in stages, with several oil companies already prepared to adopt the system.
In a related move, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also confirmed that the monthly RON95 quota will be temporarily reduced from 300 litres to 200 litres, beginning April 1, 2026, as part of broader efforts to optimise subsidy usage while maintaining the fuel price at RM1.99 per litre.
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