Cops to be deployed at petrol stations to curb fuel leakages

 Report by top-level committee highlights need to expand monitoring to all fuel stations near border areas and other high-risk locations.

The government said Rela volunteers may be roped in to monitor activities at high-risk petrol stations to curb fuel leakages.

KOTA KINABALU:

 The Cabinet has agreed to deploy policemen at petrol stations to strengthen monitoring and enforcement amid rising risks of fuel supply leakages following the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia.

Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said this was an expansion of the ministry’s static enforcement deployment implemented since March 20.

He said a report by a top committee coordinating efforts to combat leakages and smuggling highlighted a need to expand monitoring to all petrol stations near border areas and other high-risk locations.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Dapur Kita-Kita Jetsin Sdn Bhd here today, Armizan said ministry enforcement officers were previously stationed at petrol stations in border areas on a rotational basis.

“From March 20 to April 10, static deployment of ministry enforcement officers was carried out at 87 petrol stations. The second phase, beginning next week, will involve an additional 70 stations, including the deployment of policemen.

“We will continue to monitor risks and the need for broader expansion from time to time. I have also discussed the need to consider roping in Rela volunteers with the home minister,” he said. - FMT