Malaysia: Ships can no longer refuel at private jetties

The Star 11 Jun 14;

PUTRAJAYA: Ships and vessels can no longer refuel at private jetties as the Government has revoked all bunkering permits for these jetties with immediate effect.

This was among measures announced by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer­ism Ministry to curb fuel smuggling activities – believed to have cost the Government millions due to the abuse of fuel subsidies.

Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said the Customs Department would review the bunkering process as many vessels were found to be involved in diesel and petrol smuggling through licensed wholesalers which operated from private jetties.

“At the same time, our legal team, together with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, will review the Control of Supplies Act 1961 to revisit penalties for offences involving fuel subsidies abuse,” Hasan said after meeting oil company representatives here yesterday.

The announcement came just a day after the ministry imposed a six-month freeze on applications for wholesale diesel and petrol licences and the opening of new petrol stations of all brands.

The freeze will last until December and Hasan said petrol stations operating within a 25km radius from an international border have been limited to a monthly quota of 600,000 litres of the RON95 fuel effective this month.

Consumers with information on fuel smuggling activities may forward their complaints to the ministry at 03-8000 8000, 1-800-886-800, or e-mail e-aduan@kpdnkk.gov.my.

Licence for fuel bunkering revoked
AZURA ABAS and KOI KYE LEE New Straits Times 10 Jun 14;

PUTRAJAYA: Bunkering activities at private jetties nationwide are cancelled and prohibited with immediate effect.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said all bunkering licences that were previously approved were withdrawn.

He explained that bunkering is a process of supplying fuel to ships ‎and the process would be reviewed by the ministry and Customs Department.

Hasan said the decision to cancel the existing permits was due to enforcement activities that were carried out and officers had found smuggling of diesel via the vessels.

On another issue, Hasan said oil companies would be taking over key petrol stations that had their licenses revoked following investigations of smuggling subsidised fuel.

He said: "However, this only applies to key petrol stations that supply fuel to the people as the ministry wants to ensure that there is continuous supply to the people."

However, Hasan added that it would only be a temporary measure as it would depend on the outcome of the probe carried out against them.