PUTRAJAYA: Petrol supplies are sufficient for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri season and the public should not worry about dry pumps, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
He said a cross-ministerial committee which he chairs is actively monitoring the situation to avoid any supply disruptions during the festive period.
According to Amir Hamzah, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is monitoring fuel stock levels at both petrol stations and oil companies.
"Oil companies are already accustomed to the annual Hari Raya festive season.
"They know how to ensure sufficient fuel supplies, especially with the mass exodus from Kuala Lumpur back to states like Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Johor," he told a special press conference here on Friday (March 13).
"Therefore, oil companies are used to placing more stock in these areas so there are no supply disruptions."
The press conference was jointly held with government spokesman and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu after a special Cabinet meeting to assess the short-, medium- and long-term impact of the West Asia conflict.
There have been reports of panic buying of petrol in parts of Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam triggered by fears following shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysia has previously announced that it has a 60-day reserve with fuel subsidies to continue, while Thailand has 95 days of fuel reserves and Indonesia is reported to have enough fuel supplies for 30 days.
"I believe this (festive season surge in demand) is a routine matter that is well managed by the existing system and God willing, this year will be no different," he said.
As of Friday morning, Brent crude oil price increased to US$100 per barrel after dropping initially to US$91 per litre on Wednesday (March 11).
On Monday (March 9), the price surged past US$100 per barrel, the highest increase in decades.
