Saturday October 4, 2008
Shahrir: Ensure enough fuel
By MEERA VIJAYAN
PETALING JAYA: Oil companies have been instructed to ensure that petrol stations outside the Klang Valley have adequate supply for those returning to the cities from their kampungs after the Hari Raya break.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said he sent out instructions yesterday, adding that he would not accept any excuse on this matter.
“The oil firms have been asked to concentrate on petrol stations outside the Klang Valley for the people’s return journey,” he said yesterday.
The ministry, he added, had been monitoring the situation since the issue was first highlighted.
Shahrir said about 80 petrol stations in the Klang Valley were initially affected by the shortage of supply.
“Now, there are only about 10 petrol stations out of 3,095 which are out of stock, and nine are from the same company. There are also some stations that are not restocking because of their own financial constraints,” he said.
He said four of the affected stations were in Kelantan, one each in Johor and Selangor and two each in Federal Territory and Pahang.
Shahrir said petrol dealers should not give any excuse for not having enough petrol as they would have had plenty of time to arrange for new stock.
He also pointed out that there were several other petrol stations or companies that were unaffected by the shortage of stock and motorists had the option of buying petrol from such stations.
Several dealers, who refused to be named, called up The Star saying that it was untrue that the shortage was caused by operators refusing to re-stock supply.
A dealer said it was the new haulier hired by the oil company who could not cope with the demand and that lorry drivers had gone on Hari Raya leave, resulting in slow delivery of fuel.
Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd, however, denied this.
“Any speculation that the cause is an inexperienced haulier is completely untrue,” it said.
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