File police reports if threatened by smugglers, Saifuddin tells petrol station owners

KUALA LUMPUR: Petrol station owners threatened into selling subsidised fuel to smugglers are urged to file police reports, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

"When there exists an element of threat, then it becomes a police matter. If your station has been threatened, the only course of action is to immediately file a police report so that action can be taken," the Home Minister said on Saturday (April 27).

He was referring to a prior report quoting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali saying that petrol station operators were being threatened by certain syndicates to sell subsidised diesel to them above the set quota.

On Thursday (April 25), he confirmed that some operators had lodged reports alleging they were threatened by smuggling syndicates, including by some who had threatened to set fire to or damage facilities at the petrol stations.

Apart from the ministry, reports were also made to the police, he said, adding that the ministry is gathering information and investigating. He also said action would be taken against those involved.