There is no diesel shortage, says ministry

The Ministry also wants consumers tell on petrol stations that claim that there was a diesel shortage.

PETALING JAYA: The Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) wants consumers to inform the Ministry if they come across petrol kiosks that claim that there was still a shortage of diesel.

“Inform us of which petrol stations exactly that claim there is diesel shortage. Actually, this should not happen because there is no shortage,” Minister Hasan Malek told FMT in a response to allegation of diesel shortage in Selangor.

A check by FMT at petrol stations in Puchong and Serdang have revealed that consumers were only allowed to buy diesel up to RM70 worth.

When asked the reason for the amount of diesel that can be bought, consumers were told that it was due to a shortage of diesel.

However, Hasan said his ministry will look into the matter if the allegations were indeed true.

“We will definitely take action if the allegations are true. So, do inform us on the petrol stations which stipulate such regulations,” he said, adding that the ministry will then investigate the matter to find out why the petrol stations claimed that there was diesel shortage.

“If it is true, then we will give them notice before charging them in court,” he said while confirming that his ministry did not set a ceiling purchase price on diesel.

“No, we did not set a ceiling purchase amount of RM70,” he said.

Hasan confirmed in July that there was no diesel shortage, claiming that the diesel supply was sufficient.

He instead blamed the shortage on distribution and the revised subsidised diesel quota.