Petrol station checks, diesel limits: Malaysia tightens enforcement on subsidised fuel sales
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Director-general Azman Adam said 2,400 personnel have been deployed nationwide to monitor petrol stations.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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BAU, Sarawak – Malaysia’s Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is stepping up enforcement of new regulations on the sale and purchase of subsidised fuel, which take effect on April 1.
Its enforcement director-general Azman Adam said 2,400 personnel have been deployed nationwide to monitor petrol stations and ensure compliance, with assistance from other enforcement agencies, including the police.
“We will place our officers at petrol stations which record a sudden increase in sales. They will check whether the sales are genuine or involve any irregular activity.
“We may also deploy plain-clothes officers to gather information,” Datuk Azman told reporters during a visit to the Petronas Tasik Biru station in Bau, Sarawak, on April 1.
Mr Azman said the new measures include a ban on the sale of RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles and restricting the use of foreign credit or debit cards at self-service pump terminals for the purchase of RON95.
Action will now also be taken against drivers and owners of foreign-registered vehicles who purchase RON95 petrol, whereas previously, only petrol station operators were penalised.
The restriction on foreign credit or debit cards will be implemented in stages.
“Anyone using foreign cards to purchase fuel must do so at the counter.
“However, some petrol stations are still configuring their systems,” Mr Azman said.
He added that the ministry will also enforce diesel refuelling limits for various vehicle categories in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan starting from April 1.
“This is to manage diesel supply and address leakage or misappropriation, as the subsidised diesel price remains at RM2.15 (69 Singapore cents) per litre in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan,” he said.
Mr Azman said petrol stations in Sarawak have generally cooperated with the ministry’s directives but added that there was room for improvement.
“For example, clearer notices or graphics can be displayed on the restrictions and diesel limits,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
