More unsubsidised fuel stations at border areas - Zahid

 

The number of unsubsidised fuel stations at the country’s border areas will be increased to combat leakages in the sale of subsidised diesel, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) today agreed to the setting up of stations selling unsubsidised diesel in Rantau Panjang and Bukit Bunga (Jeli) in Kelantan as well as Tebedu, Ba’Kalan, and Lundu in Sarawak.

The other locations proposed for unsubsidised fuel stations are Pengkalan Hulu (Perak); Johor causeway and Second Link (Johor); Padang Besar and Wang Kelian (Perlis); and Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), he said in a statement issued after chairing the Naccol meeting.

---

Editor’s note: There are currently two petrol stations selling unsubsidised vehicle fuel in Padang Besar and Wang Kelian, both in Perlis. In mid-February, these stations were selling RON95 at RM3.22 per litre and diesel at RM3.45 per litre according to paultan.org.

Zahid said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) commenced the six-month Ops Tiris on March 1 to combat the misappropriation of subsidised diesel.

As of March 31, a total of 3,424 inspections were conducted throughout the country involving 92 cases and 88 arrests, with seizures worth RM3.02 million in 41 cases under Ops Tiris, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

“Misappropriation of subsidised diesel results in losses to the government and the diesel supply not reaching those eligible,” he said.

Rahmah initiative

Meanwhile, Zahid said the Rahmah initiative, which started with the Rahmah menu, has now been expanded to cover products like textiles and services such as insurance.

KPDN introduced the Payung Rahmah Programme to help the hardcore poor B10 group (monthly income of below RM2,500) and the less fortunate get assistance with food and basic necessities.

Since April 1, 1,706 restaurants and other food outlets throughout the country had implemented the Rahmah menu while Rahmah Ramadan Bazaars have been opened at 38 locations to sell breaking fast delicacies at Rahmah menu prices, he said.

Zahid said the NAccol meeting also agreed for the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to study a proposal to upgrade the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) into a Food Security Agency.

“KPKM will also empower Fama to widen its marketing network by focusing on high-density areas and rural areas which lack access to retail services,” he said.

- Bernama