BY ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY
KUCHING: To face any eventuality and to ensure that fuel is always sufficient at petrol stations nationwide, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has taken action to ensure that all petrol station operators are on standby during Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.
Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry held a dialogue with the Petrol Station Operators Association (PDAM) and had taken appropriate measures by allowing all petrol stations nationwide to increase their storage quantity limit, particularly for RON95 petrol, to ensure adequate supply during the festive season.
He added that each petrol station had a different storage quantity limit rate, depending on the size of the premises and the underground tank storage system (UGT).
“The ministry takes seriously the issue of the RON95 petrol supply that was affected in a few areas across the country as what was being reported recently.
“KPDNHEP had expected an extraordinary increase in the number of vehicles on the road during Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year due to the country’s transition to the endemic phase and the opening of borders that allow families to return to their hometowns,” he said in a statement on Monday (May 9).
He added that the sharp increase in the number of vehicles, which contributed to the increasing demand for RON95 petrol, was one of the factors that contributed to the shortage of supply.
“Aside from that, the delay of tankers carrying oil to reach terminals in Bagan Luar, Penang, and Kuantan, Pahang also contributed to this issue apart from the storage tank capacity at certain petrol stations not being able to meet consumer demand.
“To address this issue immediately, the ministry implemented two short-term solutions such as; obtaining cooperation from the Ministry of Transport to speed up the process of releasing oil vessels and continuous monitoring by KPDNHEP so that there is no irregularity in vehicle fuel supply.”
He also advised the public to temporarily switch to other petrol brands as not all petrol stations faced such problems of supply.
If the public have any complaints, they can report to KPDNHEP through the following channels – WhatsApp at 019-2794317 / 019-848 8000, Call Centre 1-800-886-800, email at e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my or via Ez ADU KPDNHEP.
