S'pore Mini Cooper driver fills container with Ron95 petrol in JB, slammed for being 'sia suay'
Ivan Lim
TNP
Aug 6, 2025
The driver of a Singapore-registered Mini One who was seen filling his car and a plastic container with subsidised Ron95 petrol has earned online infamy in the Republic.
Photos posted on Facebook SGRV FRONT MAN, which were also shared on Reddit, showed the driver at Caltex Nusa Central Johor Nahru on Aug 3 at 6.36pm, said the poster.
"Pump Ron 95 and tar pau as well," the poster added, referring to the driver taking away a container of the heavily-subsidised Ron 95 fuel that foreign-registered vehicle owners are not allowed to purchase.
"Si bei sia suay," said Redditor RandomDustBunny, meaning "very disgraceful" in Hokkien.
"Another day, another sia suay (disgrace)," said OnyxOak.
The post shared on Reddit was labelled "Funny", but few saw any humour in the situation.
"Regardless of citizenship, we should shame the driver for doing so when driving a sg plate," commenced Redditor fiveisseven. "You can afford to buy a car in Singapore, you can afford to pump unsubsidised petrol."
"Cheapskates Singaporeans throwing our face in JB, a tale as old as time," said Penny_Royal.
"This is embarrassing. Malaysia please do something to punish them," said spotted_dove. "Singapore govt should also ensure that these pariahs don't tarnish the Singaporean image."
Commenters on the original Facebook post noted that the driver owned a Mini Cooper, which many consider a luxury car.
"Oi, can afford to buy Mini Cooper, cannot afford petrol ah?" commented Ila Tiffany
"Sell your Mini, la, cheapskate bro," said Ganesh Rao.
Since August 2010, the sale of subsidised Ron95 petrol to drivers of foreign-registered vehicles has been banned to ensure the subsidy benefits only Malaysian citizens.
Petrol station operators currently face fines of up to RM1 million (about $304,000) for breaking this rule.
However, there are no penalties for foreign motorists under current laws.
