SMUGGLERS along border areas now prefer to smuggle RON95 petrol rather than diesel, according to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Kelantan-Thailand border in Tumpat on Thursday (June 6), its minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said this new strategy was discovered by officers stationed at entry points in four states, namely Perlis, Perak, Kedah, and Kelantan.
Armizan disclosed that they detected the new tactics carried out by smugglers in this four states since early this year.
He said reports from the ministry’s officers at eight entry points highlighted issues related to diesel smuggling, including smugglers switching fuel from diesel to RON95 and making multiple trips to petrol stations for subsidised fuel.
“A majority of them have modified their vehicles and among the vehicles used were four-wheel-drive vehicles and sedan cars,” he was reported as saying by NST, adding that this illegal smuggling business not only involved petty smugglers but also syndicates.
Following the issues detected by the ministry, Armizan noted that the government had issued an immediate directive to operators of petrol stations in the border states.
“Beginning tomorrow, all petrol station operators have been directed to make full reports on their sales to the car owners of the two types of vehicles,” he remarked.
“We hope they will give their co-operation and help the ministry track down the motorists who use modified 4WD vehicles and sedan cars to smuggle diesel and RON95.”
Armizan said the ministry would also seek the assistance of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in searching the car owners who have breached regulations by modifying their vehicles. – June 5, 2024
Main pic credit: Bernama
