KPDN enforces new measures to curb fuel misuse, protect local supply

BAU (April 1): To safeguard fuel supply and curb misuse, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has introduced new enforcement measures at petrol stations nationwide, including a ban on RON95 sales to foreign-registered vehicles starting today.

KPDN Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the measures aim to prevent fuel smuggling and ensure local motorists continue to have uninterrupted access to petrol and diesel, amid rising demand following global supply concerns.

“Previously, enforcement action was taken only against petrol station operators if sales were made to foreign vehicles.

“We have now introduced a fairer law, where buyers will also face action as some use various tactics and methods to obtain RON95 fuel.

“If we find that sellers are also involved or complicit, both parties can be penalised,” he told reporters after a walkabout at Petronas Tasik Biru here.

He said effective April 1, petrol stations and oil companies have also begun enforcing a restriction on the use of international credit and debit cards at the self-service payment terminals.

“We have enforced a ban where international credit and debit cards cannot be used at the self-service payment terminals. Foreign customers must now proceed to the counter to make payment.

“Based on KPDN case statistics, most cases involving foreign vehicle owners purchasing RON95 were carried out through outdoor payment terminals.

“This restriction will be implemented in stages. Some petrol stations are fully ready, while others are still configuring their systems. In the near future, all stations will enforce the restriction,” he said.

He also announced that new limits on diesel purchases have been introduced at petrol stations here including Sabah and Labuan.

“For diesel-powered vehicles, pick-up trucks are allowed up to 50 litres per refuel. Commercial vehicles of three tonnes and below are limited to 100 litres per refuel, while those above three tonnes are capped at 150 litres.

“This control is necessary to prevent supply disruptions and curb smuggling, especially as demand for diesel and petrol has surged following incidents in West Asia.

“If left unchecked, controlled items such as diesel and petrol could be smuggled out or misused by ineligible parties and industries,” he said.

On enforcement in Sarawak, Azman said cooperation from petrol station operators has been encouraging, although improvements are still needed.

“For instance, notices on diesel filling limits should be displayed more clearly and prominently so that the public can easily understand them.

“We also suggest the use of graphics or visual displays to improve public awareness,” he said.

Azman said 283 petrol stations in Sarawak, 266 in Sabah, and seven in Labuan will be monitored, with officers on standby to respond to unusual sales or suspicious activities.

Nationwide, 2,400 KPDN enforcement officers will be deployed, supported by other agencies including the police.

In addition, KPDN has also launched Ops Tiris 4.0, an integrated operation involving more systematic and strategic collaboration with enforcement agencies.

Existing monitoring methods such as inspection of station logbooks will also continue, he said.

“This initiative is to ensure that the public continues to enjoy uninterrupted access to petrol and diesel. In certain cases, if a station shows unusual sales increases, we may deploy officers on a static basis to monitor operations directly.

“This includes placing intelligence officers on what is actually taking place at the station,” he said.

Azman also urged the public not to take matters into their own hands if they witness suspicious activities.

“If you see any suspicious activity, such as foreign vehicles filling RON95 or large quantities of fuel being pumped into containers, do not act on your own or circulate it on social media. Report it directly to KPDN.

“KPDN will take action within 24 hours, provided the information given is complete. We do not want evidence to be destroyed in a way that could disrupt or affect our investigations,” he said.

He added that KPDN in Putrajaya will operate seven days a week starting today.

“Enforcement efforts involve not only KPDN but also other agencies including the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), border control agencies, the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Sarawak, Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS),” he added.

Members of the public can channel information or lodge complaints via telephone number 03-8882 6245/03-8882 6088, WhatsApp (019-848 8000), toll-free line (1-800-886-800) or through the Ez Aduan application.

Also present was KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin.