The public is encouraged to make a report to KPDNHEP if there is any irregular activity involving the sale of subsidised oil

by AZREEN HANI / pic by BERNAMA

THE Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) will conduct aggressive monitoring at all petrol stations nationwide, especially those close the borders, to ensure that the subsidised fuel is not sold to foreign-resigstered vehicles.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Alexander Nanta Linggi said this in response to reports and social media posts which showed vehicles with foreign-registered plate numbers buying subsidised fuel RON95 recently.

“Based on the complaint, the vehicle that has Singapore’s registration number plate is said to be filling the car with petrol using a yellow nozzle suspected to be RON95, which is a subsidised fuel,” he said.

“The ministry has also ordered all state ministry offices bordering Singapore and Thailand to intensify monitoring and inspections, as well as to take stern action against any party that violates the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) and (Control of Supplies Regulations 1974),” Nanta Linggi said in a statement yesterday.

The Act stipulates the following penalties, including fines not exceeding RM1 million or a jail sentence of not more than three years, or both, for individuals, and fines no more than RM2 million for entities or companies that violate the Act.

Nanta said more aggressive enforcement activities will also be conducted with the launch of Ops Pantau 2022 today to ensure that supplies of products are adequate and sold at affordable prices, as well as to ensure a high level of compliance among businesses, following the complete reopening of the economic sector and the country’s borders that began on April 1.

“The public is encouraged to make a report to KPDNHEP if there is any irregular activity involving the sale of subsidised oil to the wrong parties,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported the minister as reminding traders not to increase the prices of their goods following the opening of the nation’s borders.

“With the borders now reopened, foreigners will come to visit and indeed the demand for goods will increase such as food items and others.

“That is why we appeal to traders not to take advantage of the situation to make unreasonable profits because profiteering is an offence,” he told reporters after launching Ops Pantau 2022 in Kuching yesterday.

Nanta said his ministry is stepping up enforcement and monitoring during Ramadhan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year through Ops Pantau 2022.

He said the programme aims to ensure that consumers are able to easily get food supplies and daily necessities at reasonable prices.

“Ops Pantau 2022 will be enforced uniformly throughout the country with the focal points being places like Ramadan bazaars, Aidilfitri bazaars, public markets, supermarkets and grocery stores,” he said.