PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: The Government should set a different petrol price for foreign-registered cars instead of banning them from filling petrol within 50km of the border, said Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The former MP for Labis said the Government should consider this plan until a new price was determined as foreign cars should continue to have freedom to pump petrol in Johor Baru.

Stressing that the city was the centre of economic activities, Dr Chua said the decision was illogical and did not match its foreign investment strategy.

"Its main economic income comes from Singaporeans. About 50,000 to 100,000 Singaporeans travel to and from Malaysia. During weekends, there are about 80,000 to 100,000 Singaporeans who come to Johor Baru to spend," he said yesterday.

He said while foreigners should not enjoy the same petrol subsidy as Malaysians, the government's decision should not affect foreign investment or the tourism industry.