MALAYA - Petrol Ration Coupons 1941 - 1950

MALAYA  - Petrol Ration Coupons  1941 - 1950

by Saran Singh AMN, AMP, PNM

Introduction

The Survey Department, Federation of Malaya, was established in 1924 as a printer of Government documents - Survey Maps, Emergency Bank Notes (the Malaya 10 Cents dated 15.8.1940 and 25 Cents dated 1.9.1940), Postage and Revenue Stamps, Rubber Export Coupons, War Savings Certificates and Bonds, Share Certificates, Identity Cards, Motor Vehicle Licenses and Petrol Ration Coupons. Its head office was located in Kuala Lumpur, with branches in Singapore, Penang and Malacca. Branches were also established in the States of Johore, Pahang, Kelantan, Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan.

After the end of the Japanese occupation of Malaya (8^th December 1941 to 15^th August 1945), the British Military Administration, took over the control of Malaya on 12^th September 1945 to 30^th March 1946 (for a short period of 7 months). The Malayan Union was formed on 1^st April 1946. The Malayan Union comprised of the Federated Malay States, the Unfederated Malay States and the former Straits Settlements (consisting of Penang and Malacca only). Singapore became a separate Crown Colony of England. The Malayan Union however proved to be very unpopular. This finally led to the formation of the Federation of Malaya on 1^st February 1948.

At this time, there was an acute shortage of petrol in Malaya and the Crown Colony of Singapore. To overcome the problem, necessary measures were immediately taken to control and limit the distribution of petrol by the petrol dealers.

First Issue

The first Petrol Ration Coupons were printed in 1941, Some examples of these first issues exist with the words SPECIMEN. However, due to the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the issuance of these Petrol Ration Coupons could not be implemented. The Petrol Ration Coupons for public use, were issued in January 1947. These Coupons were printed in the values of 1 Gallon Petrol, 2 Gallons Petrol, 3 Gallons Petrol, 4 Gallons Petrol, 5 Gallons Petrol and 10 Gallons Petrol. These coupons had a validity period of three months. Motorcycle owners were issued with the 1 Gallon Petrol, 2 Gallons Petrol, 3 Gallons Petrol and 4 Gallons Petrol Ration Coupons. These Petrol Ration Coupons could be used by motor cycle as well as motor car owners. These Coupons were only valid for a specified period of 3 months. They were printed on pink colour paper, and were 43 mm X 55 mm in size. The words “Private Cars & Motorcycles” is printed in a circle on these coupons. These first series were issued by the Government of the Malayan Union.

Second Issue

In December 1947, The Surveyor-General of the Malayan Union and Singapore suggested to the Commissioner of Road Transport Kuala Lumpur to have one colour for the 1 Unit Petrol, 2 Units Petrol, 3 Units Petrol and 4 Units Petrol for use by motorcycles. A different colour was suggested for the 5 Units Petrol and 10 Units Petrol for use by motor cars. This colour difference and value in units was implemented with effect from 1948. The size of these petrol ration coupons was 45 mm X 55 mm. These second series of Petrol Ration Coupons were issued by the Government of the Federation of Malaya. The denomination of 1 Unit = 1 Gallon Petrol. In actual pratice, the smaller units of Petrol Ration Coupons could also be used for both motorcycles and motor cars irrespective of their colour.

In the second quarter of 1948, it was discovered that some unscrupulous people were making forgeries of the 10 Units Petrol Ration Coupons. The Road Transport Department of the Federation of Malaya, issued a stern warning. Any petrol licensed retailer in the Federation of Malaya who printed his own ‘Petrol Coupons’ forgeries, would be prosecuted, and would probably suffer suspension or cancellation of his license.

Third Issue

 In 1948, the 50 gallons Petrol Ration Coupons were printed for the first time. These were for use by higher horse-power cars and Government trucks and lorry’s. In 1949, the denomination was changed to 50 Units of Petrol. The 50 gallons Petrol Ration Coupons, was printed on a large piece of paper , 90 mm x 165mm, with the words in oval ‘COMPETENT AUTHORITY PETROL OIL AND LUBRICANTS’, with the validity period stated upon it. These were rubber stamped and signed by the various Road Transport Department officials in the States of the Federation of Malaya. The issue of these 50 Gallons Petrol Ration Coupons, was strictly controlled by the Road Transport Department. These high values were printed only in limited quantities. According to Government records, Petrol Ration Coupons to the value of 30 Gallons or Units of Petrol were to be also issued. However, not a single piece of the 30 Gallons Coupon has been seen so far. 

Crown Colony of Singapore  

In 1949, newly designed series of Petrol Ration Coupons were issues in Unit denomination, i.e., 1 Unit, 2 Units, 3 Units, 4 Units, 5 Units and 10 Units. 1 Unit was good for 1 Gallon of Petrol. The petrol ration coupons for the Crown Colony of Singapore were printed on special watermark paper with the words “SINGAPORE” embossed in the watermark. The coupons for Singapore also had the letter “S” in the bottom right hand corner. The size of these petrol ration coupons was 45 mm X 55 mm. The 50 Gallon Tetrol Ration Coupon had the words “Crown Colony of Singapore” printed above and was 90 mm x 165 mm in size.

After every quarter, the used Petrol Ration Coupons were destroyed by cutting them into small strips in the guillotine machine. They were then burned in the public incinerator in Cheras Road, Kuala Lumpur. Other States had their own manner of disposal, of these used Petrol Coupons.

In case these Petrol Ration Coupons were not used by the owner, they could be exchanged at pre-agreed values, and exchanged for goods or other services. In such a way, they were used as a medium of exchange or barter trading.

The last known issues of these Petrol Ration Coupons are for the period October - December 1950. It may be presumed that the supply of petrol in 1951, may have become normal, to adequately serve the needs of the Country.

Listed below is the average price per Gallon as a reference. 1 Imperial (British) Gallon Petrol  = 3.78 Liters Petrol . For the record the American Unit of 1 Gallon = 4 Liters.       

      

Year	Average Price/Gallon	Average Price/Liter
1948	$1.78	$0.47
1949	$1.82	$0.48
1950	$1.88	$0.50
1951	$1.96	$0.52

References:

(a)   “Petrol Coupons” by Lawrence de Souza (Published in Malaysia Numismatic Society Bulletin

Volume 29  No.1 January/February 1997).

(b)   Survey Department Federation of Malaya, Files and Journals 1924 - 1955.   

(c)   Federation of Malaya Government Gazette Volume  : IV, Number : 14. Dated 21^st June, 1951

 

Illustrations

First Issue

                                 Malayan Union : Series 1 – July to September 1947. Color : Pink

                                Federation of Malaya : Series 2 – October to December 1949. Color : Green

 

                      Federation of Malaya : Series 2 – October to December 1949. Color : Blue

               Federation of Malaya for Singapore: Series 3 – July to September 1949. Color : Dark Blue

 

                   Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – July to September 1949. Color : Brown

                                  Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – January to March 1950.

                                        Color : Blue (3 Units) ; Orange (5 & 10 Units)

 

         Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – October  to December 1948. Color : Black - 50 Gallons (of Petrol)

 

           Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – January  to March 1949. Color : Green - 50 Units (of Petrol)

 

               Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – April  to June 1949. Color : Blue - 50 Units (of Petrol)

 

                Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – July  to September 1949. Color : Brown - 50 Units(of Petrol)

 

      Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – October  to December 1949. Color : Dark Green - 50 Units (of Petrol)

 

          Federation of Malaya : Series 3 – January  to March 1950. Color : Orange - 50 Units (of Petro