Widespread diesel shortage in almost all PETRONAS stations in Sarawak, Sabah as Ministry waits for answers

File photo of a notice pasted on a diesel pump at a petrol station in Mukah.

KUCHING, Dec 26: Most PETRONAS’ petrol stations in Sarawak and Sabah are currently facing a shortage of diesel fuel.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak said that it was still awaiting for an official statement from PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad regarding the diesel supply cut which has affected almost all PETRONAS petrol stations in the two States.

Motorists are also advised to refill diesel at the nearest Shell or Petros stations.

This development followed public complaints about the inability to refill diesel, with several petrol stations, including the PETRONAS petrol station near Drive Heights in Stutong Baru, here experiencing a two-day supply outage.

A similar situation was also reported in Mukah’s PETRONAS stations, with long queues of vehicles reportedly forming at Shell stations to refuel.

The Ministry’s Enforcement Division is currently conducting inspections and monitoring all petrol stations.

The public is urged to provide information related to diesel misappropriation for further action.

Complaints and inquiries can be submitted via e-aduan.kpdn.gov.my, WhatsApp to 019-2794317 or 019-8488000 (consumer’s complaint), and the hotline at 1-800-886-800.

On Dec 24, Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen called on the Sarawak government to intervene and address the diesel shortage persisting in the region for the past two weeks.

Confirming shortages in multiple Kuching petrol stations, the Padungan assemblyman highlighted the challenges faced by lorry and truck drivers in obtaining diesel. He emphasised that the situation posed a threat to the logistics sector.

With the Federal government to implement subsidies for diesel for public vehicles and not industrial users, Chong however pointed out that there were instances of unethical lorry or truck drivers moving between stations to fill up their tanks and selling the diesel to the industrial sector. — DayakDaily