Daily Lessons from Life 25 July 2010 - S'poreans fume over fuel ruling

"S'poreans fume over fuel ruling - Sun, Jul 25, 2010 The Star/Asia News Network

JOHOR BARU, Malaysia - Singaporeans are complaining that a ruling banning foreign-registered vehicles from filling up with RON95 petrol is unfair to them.


They are also confused about whether they are totally prohibited from buying petrol in Malaysia or if they are allowed to buy limited quantities of lower grade fuel.

For most Singaporeans, apparently, it is the cheaper fuel here that draws them to Malaysia and Johor in particular."

I find the complaining Singaporeans perplexing! It is a national policy adopted by the Malaysian government to protect its own interest and the citizens' interest. There is really no room for any complaints by Singaporeans who visit Malaysia to spend and also want to buy petrol that are no longer to be sold to foreigners.

Lessons for me are:

1. self-interest normally clouds one's judgement and responses. The Malaysian government absolutely has the power and independence to decide if something in Malaysia is to be sold to foreigners or not!;

2. the complaining Singaporeans should really do their own sum and decide for themselves if it is still worth their money to visit Malaysia and spend money there on food, groceries, whatever shopping they fancied, but having no access to 'cheap' grade 95 petrol anymore! It is really that simple. If Singaporeans don't visit and the Malaysian government or the Malaysian businesses felt that negative impact is too much or overwhelmed the 'saving' from selling the 'cheap' grade 95 petro, then this adopted policy may be reconsidered. It is really down to dollar and cents IF politics can be put aside;

3. Singapore government will NOT be drawn into this debate as it always maintains that it does not interfere in the internal affairs of any foreign governments. In fact, Singapore government were the 1st to restrict Singaporeans from buying too much petrol many years ago with the 'top up to 3/4 of your fuel tank' before you enter West Malaysia via the causeway links! So, no complaint here for sure.

May Singaporeans who find saving to visit Malaysia to shop and spend money continued to do that. Just forget about complaining about this petrol grade 95 thingy!!