The retail price of petrol in Malaysia hit an all-time high this week, with the announcement of a 37 sen increase to RON 97 petrol bringing it to RM4.70 per litre for the May 26 to June 1 period. This of course has no impact on most motorists, given that the majority use subsidised RON 95 (which, at RM2.05 per litre is nearly 130% cheaper at the current rate), but there are some applications that require use of the higher octane rating fuel, and their users are undoubtedly feeling the pinch.
One wonders how many have now abandoned using the fuel, given the significant climb in recent weeks. It wasn’t that long ago that the fuel was still “manageable” – at the start of the year, it went for RM3.00 a litre, which I’d like to believe its users still found workable enough to fill up with. Crossing the RM4 threshold, which it did on the May 12-18 week, when it touched RM4.31 might have seen all but the most persistent (and well-to-do) continue with the fuel.
If things are looking bad for RON 97, it has become outright dire for the special unregulated Euro 4M fuels, of which two are sold here in the country – Petron’s Blaze 100 and Shell’s V-Power Racing. As part of our weekly fuel update posts, we follow and list the price of both in our fuel price tracker on the site. Both have always had a marked price premium over RON 97, and this is adjusted relative to the increase or drop in the price of RON 97.
Because they are unregulated, the price format isn’t fixed (or always adjusted weekly), but the gap has become much wider than before over the course of the past few months. Presently, at RM5.60 per litre for Blaze 100 and, wait for it, RM6.20 per litre for VPR (for the May 26-June 1 week), the question must surely be, is any general member of the public filling up their rides with these fuels anymore?
It’s surely a big ask, because at the start of March, Blaze 100 was at RM4.10, and VPR at RM4.27 when RON 97 was at RM3.45 per litre. In the two months plus since then, Petron’s premium fuel has gone up by 36.5%, while Shell’s offering has increased by 45%. International oil prices may be down from the heady US$140 a barrel it touched in March, but its current going at above US$110 a barrel means that the way things are at, it doesn’t look rosy for these two fuels, or RON 97.
Even someone who doesn’t go to the pump every week (or month, for that matter) can wave the white flag. As a long-time Blaze 100 user, I rolled up to the pump last week to tank up and, looking at the reminder of Blaze 100’s price in the small window, proceeded to tank up with RON 97 instead. Even that took more than a single swipe of the card, because the set limit per transaction is RM200.
Before anyone starts commenting on the lushness of my wallet (and I can visualise colleague Danny Tan muttering something about rich people), some context is needed. It takes me about two months to use up a tank and cover just over 500 km, and that’s when I actually drive the car beyond the ordinary. The last fill prior to that made last week was close to six months ago, so a tank of Blaze 100 isn’t usually a stretch, not when you measure the duration for its use.
Note the mention of ‘usually’, because that previous fill was made at RM3.08 per litre, and the idea of paying RM5.50 for the same thing was a psychological barrier I couldn’t get past. I can’t imagine what it’s like for VPR folk right now. And to think there was a time not too long ago, just two years ago in fact, when Blaze 100 was under the RM2.50 mark, and RON 97 was at RM1.55. Indeed, when it was launched in January 2016, Blaze 100 was sold at RM2.80, so this is where we’re at right now.
If any reader is still using these special unregulated fuels, or even RON 97, despite what is fast becoming insane pricing, we’d like to hear why. Frankly, I’m not positive that anyone will even respond, but hey, share your thoughts with us if you do. And no, we’re not going to talk about subsidies here – that’s a topic for another day.
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I was using RON 97 before in my small engine. Its a small engine but will be revved up to at least 80% during usage. The engine can run on RON 95 but with noticeable drop in torque and top. FC is never an issue as it felt much more confident and relaxed on RON 97 plus i can complete my ‘journey’ slightly quicker. Since RON 97 price shoots up, i had to switch to RON 95 and used the saving to buy teh ais once i completed my ‘journey’.
Well, until the price drop again i will stick with 95 for my mesin rumput selendang 33cc.
Hahaha..well, it’s one tough decision to make
Try BHP 95…you can see the torque difference ☺️
Same here, I stop using RON97 since the price reach RM 3.40 something, better use the extra money for something else. I noticed I need to refill quite often compare to RON97 which can get more mileage.
You should consult Lapizi, he may be able to get the government to lower it to covid level pricing.
I live to see the day petrol gets taxed rather than subsidised
Welcome but must be fair to everyone!
Welcome to America — Malaysians have it so good in this respect.
Good one Anthony. As you only commute 500KM in 2months, so the drastic increase of fuel price isn’t so much impact in value. By right WFH is eco-friendly other than logistics or sales and retail personnel.
The key thing we learn here is – DRIVE NECESSARILY But how do you feel when seeing “kancil running the engine half an hour just for AC?”
Kancil driver probably T20 millionaire
Ok la tu. Tank Kancil kecik je. Still murah.
dear editor, curious what car you are using?
For that T20 in you…
Shell V-Power Racing RM6.20 se liter …No problemo. Only for my Ducati bikes.
Nah only T1 can afford, t20 is just 10k family income
If T20 did not hide a big chunk of their income overseas, sure they can easily afford it.
Some kancil driver also fill up with shell VPR…
I’ve just purchased my first new to me Porsche Cayman 987.2 a few weeks back and had eagerly filled up with Ron97 only to see a full tank costs more than RM200. My subsequent refill was with 95. A few hp less wouldn’t hurt but that price difference will! ouch!
sorhai betul. beli keta mahal tapi xde wang nak pakai lagi nak maintain.
Just get an ECU tune and tune it for RON 95. You’ll get the performance you want and you’ll stop spending needlessly on higher rating. Look at that gas cap recommendation — that’s all you’ll need to know.
Makes that McD burger in LA all those years ago when US$1=RM5 seem almost like good value, eh?
Petrol can degrade…too bad for your car …6 months..
Two words: Fuel Stabilizer.
I can, I want, I use, I pay…whats the issue?
Remove immediately all petrol subsidies & whatnot, fair play, please.
Let’s see who cries the most, in the end.
Its not about crying. If you want to use RON97 or RON100, then go for it. It you crying now, for subsidy given for RON95. We can get it bro..
Dear Malaysian Govenment, let me suggest you a solution: just import petrol from Russian since now their price have been significantly lowered due to sanction posed from many countries around the world (Not including Malaysia). Putin would be grateful to export to us too.
It will just become another ron 90 or 92.. that shit is for the Dubai’s..
Just import oil from Russia, problem will solve itself.
appropriate time to convert to EV?
If EV popular here, then the electric price also go high.
All the more reason to quickly build up proper infrastructure for EV’s so Malaysians can make the switch sooner and save on fuel subsidies.
and EV cars only affordable to T20 who enjoy RON95 subsidize price for Porsche too. T20 increase their company’s goods price too for rakyat to pay & make up for their “loss”. what a great economy structure!
Before you comment, under the true meaning of T20. What can you do with the salary if categorize under T20. What you mean is T0.001!
But t20 is also the most who also pay taxes. Most income tax comes from t20 as well.
Still using Ron100 till now. Been filling it since 2017. A real pain in the wallet but it will cost me more to tune the ECU back to stock n replaced my high compression head & high cams back to stock.
Im spending extra RM500 per month now on fuel alone. Just have to live with it and shed some pounds on them right foot.
Currently with the lighter foot, am getting 700km for 60 literally of fuel.
One of the reasons i have yet to revert to stock settings due to Government announcement on targeted fuel subsidies.
Once the 95 is back to market float, then the price difference not that big.
I try to pump RON97 wherever it is available & whenever I still can pay for it. I believe some others need the cheaper fuel more than me. If most of us pump RON95, one day the cheaper RON95 may be less accessible by the most needed.
Same scenario for me as well Anthony. My commute to work everyday takes about 1.5km. On weekends grocery shopping…etc. I have been using VPR racing for the past 21 years and full tank can last me a month. Yes my car is under utilized. I tried walking to work, that didn’t work as it takes me 45minutes. On one particular night while walking back I got robbed. Anyway I have switched to 97 and I do notice an improvement in quality for 97 compared to last time. Not sure what is the reason but many years I have been suspecting the petrol station is mixing the fuel grade for higher profit margin.
I ve checked the oil barrel price for 20 years history and I do not think that the unsubsidised fuel should be that high unlesss there would another impact such as currency exchange. Currently per barrel crude oil averaging around usd115. Previously there were a price hiked during 2008 and 2011 averaging around usd140 & usd120 per barrel, currency exchange may be around rm3.50/usd. Correct me if I m wrong.
Im well at the top cat, I seldom look at price when buying things. But I normally know very well the proper price for things. A bunglow at 5mil is very well alright for me to own but a coffee for RM25 a cup is too much for me. U get it? My perception. I filled with Racing fuel, a tank cost me near to Rm500. Twice a month. I thought too much so now downgrade to ron97, close to 400 a tank. Save 100 for each round, I have 6 cars so save a lot per month. I drive fairly lively too. If I drop to ron 95, mmm…big saving. But I think subsidy should go away since the money should be used for public transport and road upgrade, while if you cant afford fuel without subsidy then you are not capable to own a car to drive around. Just do what suite you economically. Not over stretch your ability. And save us Tax payer money ofcourse.
Still so cheap, malaysia open up borders, many singaporeans will still come in pump petrol even if it hits 8rm/liter. you should take a look at the price of singapore petrol, then you know what is sky high prices
Come to Cali in the US — then you’ll know what REAL high gas prices are. 87 Octane is $7.49 per gallon. Don’t even talk about 95 RON, which is 91 Octane in US. That’s the highest rating we can get. That is closer to $8 per gallon. USD not RM, and not SGD.
All one needs to do is look at the back of their gas cap — even on an Audi or Porsche, it’s going to say minimum RON 95. If you’re using anything higher, you’re playing yourself. If I had gas subsidized by the government — and it be the minimum on German vehicles — the answer is a no-brainer. In the US, we don’t have that luxury; we put up with whatever price there is at the pump. Most times, we have to avoid “premium” gas stations like Shell because the prices are too high. Realistically, most place have tue same formula — only the detergents are what sets them apart. Even still, as long as you’re putting in what your vehicle manufacturer recommends, you’re good. Anything else — again — is a waste of money.