A 36-year-old Singaporean faces a RM300 fine after dragging a fuel nozzle and collapsing a Johor petrol booth.
A routine fuel stop turned chaotic when a Singapore-registered car drove off with a petrol nozzle still attached, pulling down part of a Shell station in Johor on Oct 18.
The Incident at Jalan Skudai
At about 10.15pm on Oct 18, a Singapore-registered vehicle at a Shell station along Jalan Skudai, Johor, accidentally drove off with a petrol nozzle still inserted in its fuel tank. The force of the pull caused the pump to collapse, forcing the petrol station to halt operations temporarily.
Eyewitness Chen Zi Xin, whose parents were refuelling nearby, said a loud crash drew their attention. “We were afraid the station might explode and hurriedly drove away,” she told The Straits Times.
Panic and Immediate Response
Videos circulated online showed an employee sprinting toward the damaged booth as the driver, a 36-year-old Singaporean man, stepped out to assess the situation. At least three other motorists had to abandon their refuelling as safety measures were activated.
According to a Shell employee quoted by Shin Min Daily News, a police report was filed, and the station’s insurance company was promptly contacted. The employee added that the driver remained at the scene until 3am, apologizing repeatedly and cooperating with staff.
Police Investigation and Fine
Johor Bahru’s Northern District police chief, Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh, confirmed that investigations found the driver had failed to return the nozzle to its holder, leading to property damage. The man is being investigated under Malaysia’s Road Traffic Act for failing to control his vehicle—an offence carrying a compound fine of up to RM300 (S$92).
Police were alerted to the incident around 12.19am on Oct 19, approximately two hours after it occurred, following the viral spread of eyewitness footage on Facebook. Officers have also appealed for additional witnesses to come forward with information.
No Injuries Reported
Fortunately, no injuries or explosions occurred during the incident. The vehicle itself sustained no visible damage, and operations at the station were resumed after safety checks were completed.
Cooperation Praised, Lessons Learned
Reports from Shin Min Daily News noted that the driver accompanied Shell employees to the police station to file an official report—a gesture that earned praise from staff for his accountability despite the costly mistake.
The unusual petrol station mishap underscores the need for motorists to remain vigilant when refuelling—especially in busy cross-border locations like Johor, where Singaporean drivers are frequent visitors. While no one was harmed, the incident highlights how a small act of carelessness can lead to significant disruption and potential danger.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Registered Car, Johor Petrol Station, Shell Malaysia, RM300 Fine, Fuel Pump Damage
