BAU: The 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 Wednesday (April 1).
Its enforcement director-general, Datuk Azman Adam, said 2,400 personnel had 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 plainclothes officers to gather information," he told reporters during a visit to the PETRONAS Tasik Biru station here on Wednesday.
Azman said the new measures include banning 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 be taken against drivers and owners of foreign-registered vehicles as well for purchasing 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," Azman said.
He added that the ministry would also enforce diesel refuelling limits for various vehicle categories in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan starting Wednesday.
"This is to manage diesel supply and address leakage or misappropriation, as the subsidised diesel price remains at RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan," he said.
Azman said petrol stations in Sarawak had 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.
