KPDN: Seven fuel stations each in S’wak, Sabah under scrutiny for ‘unusually high’ diesel, RON95 sales

KUCHING (Sept 21): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has identified seven fuel stations each in Sarawak and Sabah respectively with unusually high sales of diesel and RON95 petrol, said its minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He asserted that the fuel stations were among the total 38 stations identified across Malaysia, signalling potential issues of fuel smuggling or misappropriation.

“We’ve adopted a new approach to detect smuggling and misappropriation by analysing fuel sales trends, particularly diesel and RON95, at these stations.

“Audits will be conducted to examine sales records, especially in border areas where the risk of smuggling is heightened.

“We will ensure that fuel station operators are held accountable for any irregularities in sales, particularly if there is evidence of diversion to industrial use or cross-border smuggling,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Jelajah Karnival KPDN 2024 programme in Matang here this afternoon.

Armizan also urged station operators to report any suspicious activity, such as modified vehicles making repeated purchases, to assist the ministry in tackling these issues.

“We will work closely with oil companies to monitor and report any unusually high sales patterns,” he added.

The minister expressed optimism that this new monitoring strategy would help curb the leakage of subsidised diesel and RON95 petrol, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah.

Thus, he encouraged the public to come forward with any information that could assist KPDN in its investigations.