30th March 2026 - 2 min read
If you are used to quick, self-service refuelling, the experience at some petrol stations may soon feel a little different.
Starting 1 April 2025, foreign credit and debit cards will be restricted from purchasing RON95 petrol in stages nationwide. The change is part of ongoing efforts to tighten how Malaysia’s fuel subsidy is accessed, particularly in cases involving foreign-registered vehicles.
Transactions made at self-service pumps are not always easy to track, especially when overseas-issued cards are used. The new approach shifts some of these purchases into a more visible, staff-managed process.
At stations where the restriction is in place, foreign-issued cards will no longer work at the pump. Payment will need to be made at the counter instead.
This means some transactions that were previously quick and automated will now involve staff. For station operators, it creates a clearer view of who is buying subsidised fuel. For drivers using foreign cards, it may add an extra step.
The rollout will happen in stages, so the process may differ depending on where you stop to refuel.
Some stations are ready to implement the system immediately, while others will take more time. In the early phase, it may not always be obvious which stations have already made the switch.
The difference is likely to be more visible in areas with higher cross-border traffic, where foreign-registered vehicles are more common.
In these locations, more customers may need to pay at the counter instead of at the pump. During busy periods, this could lead to slightly longer waits, especially at stations that previously relied heavily on self-service.
Drivers using locally issued cards are unlikely to see much change in how they refuel. The main difference may come from busier counters at certain stations.
Moving some payments away from self-service pumps gives operators a clearer way to monitor transactions linked to subsidised RON95.
Over time, this reduces gaps that made certain purchases harder to detect. The trade-off is a small change in convenience at affected stations, particularly in areas where demand is higher.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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