Latest update as of 6pm, 10 Nov 2020: There is no need to register under MySejahtera if you’re just filling up petrol. This is according to a statement by Ismail Sabri, the Minister of Defence.
***Original Post***
It has been verbally confirmed that registering using the MySejahtera app is mandatory when filling up at petrol stations EVEN IF ONE IS NOT ENTERING THE PREMISES of the attached convenience store. But it’s not as straightforward as we’d hope, here’s a more complete story.
Police and Malaysian National Security Council: YES, SCAN WHEN FUELING UP
Yesterday, there were rumours circulating on social media that Malaysians were being fined RM1,000 for filling up petrol without registering under MySejahtera. As of 2pm today, there seems to be no official WRITTEN statement on the matter from the Ministry of Health or the Royal Malaysian Police. However, verbal statements from Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Deputy Director DCP Mior Faridalathrash and officers on the MKN hotline indicate that the position has changed. Therefore, at this moment, it would seem that scanning the QR Code to register on MySejahtera is required even if you’re just refueling.
Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre under the Ministry of Health: NO NEED TO SCAN DURING BRIEF ENCOUNTERS
That being said, as of this morning, some news outlets like FMT got email responses from the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) saying that “Brief encounters such as filling petrol at pump stations or while making payments do not require MySejahtera scanning.”
So, should you be scanning?
Well, if you’re looking for the official position, you may have to wait until the end of the day. We’ve heard that an official statement will be issued.
To avoid being fined, we suggest registering in the mean time. The Royal Malaysian Police, who are the ones issuing most of the fines have already made their position clear.
Personal Opinion
Logically, it does make sense to scan at petrol kiosks. Think of the thousands drivers that fuel up at the same station every day. All it takes is for one infected individual to start the spread of a new cluster. We’d go as far as to suggest registering with MySejahtera even if you’re just there to check your tyre pressure at the petrol station, to charge your EV/PHEV or even to pick up a GoCar. Contact tracing is one of the few ways you can help, so why not do it as often as possible if it costs nothing?
Many petrol stations have notices up saying that the pumps are sanitised regularly, but as long as this is not automated, there’s room for human error.
Malaysians have been made aware of the necessity to register using MySejahtera whenever they visit a business premise since at least August of this year. It’s a small inconvenience, but it will help our frontliners and the economy in general in the fight against COVID-19. We can understand the confusion that may have been there before, but henceforth, whether or not it becomes the official position, Malaysian consumers should make an effort to register. At the same time, fuel station operators should also make QR codes available at every kiosk to make things more convenient for customers and to prevent queues from building up if the only visible QR codes are by the convenience store or payment counter.
