KOTA KINABALU: Police officers will be deployed at petrol stations near border areas to strengthen enforcement against fuel leakages and smuggling, says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
He said the decision, which will also include police deployment at other high-risk areas, was approved by the Cabinet as part of the expansion of the static deployment of enforcement officers from the ministry.
Armizan said police involvement was crucial to address manpower limitations faced by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement officers and to ensure more comprehensive monitoring of supply and price status nationwide.
The efforts would strengthen enforcement against the smuggling and pilferage of petrol and diesel leakages that are expected to rise with the global energy crisis, he told reporters after officiating an event here yesterday.
He said enforcement officers from his ministry have been stationed occasionally at 87 petrol stations in border areas nationwide from March 20 to April 20.
“The second phase will begin next week with an additional 70 petrol stations, which will also involve police officers. We will continue to monitor risks and the need to expand this implementation from time to time.”
Armizan said, based on a report on fuel leakages and smuggling presented at the National Economic Action Council meeting, it was found necessary to expand static monitoring to all petrol stations near borders and high-risk areas.
“The current energy crisis also affects the supply chain of food and goods, especially imports, so such closer monitoring is necessary,” he said.
He said discussions have been held with the Home Ministry to consider involving volunteers from Rela in static monitoring operations at petrol stations.
On another matter, the minister said a total of 71.3 tonnes of surplus food was successfully “saved” during this year’s Ramadan through the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative driven by the ministry together with various strategic partners.
Armizan said the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated approach in reducing food waste while also helping those in need.
He said of the total, 2.6 tonnes of food was “rescued” in Sabah and distributed to communities in need.
“Throughout Ramadan, the i-FB@Ramadan Bazaar 2026 programme was implemented at 119 bazaars nationwide with the participation of 2,875 volunteers.
“This effort minimises food wastage and helps protect the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and landfill waste,” he said.
