THE Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has announced a comprehensive enforcement drive to prevent fuel leakage and smuggling, while ensuring stable supplies of controlled goods amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
KPDN Director-General of Enforcement Datuk Azman Adam said the ministry’s efforts align with the Prime Minister’s directive to safeguard national energy supplies and ensure that Malaysians continue to benefit from subsidised fuel.
“KPDN will continue to strengthen enforcement to curb leakage and smuggling issues, as well as ensure the stability of controlled goods supply in the market, even in the face of geopolitical uncertainty resulting from the escalating conflict in West Asia,” he said.
Among the measures, KPDN will fully enforce, from April 1, 2026, a ban on the sale and purchase of Petrol RON95 for foreign-registered vehicles. This policy is aimed at ensuring subsidies remain exclusively for Malaysian citizens.
Any foreign vehicle owners or petrol station operators found violating the rule will face strict legal action.
Specific controls will also be implemented for Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan. Licensed petrol stations are instructed to limit diesel sales for land transport vehicles according to vehicle category, permitting only 50 litres, 100 litres, or 150 litres per transaction.
The measure seeks to prevent exploitation of subsidised diesel, priced at RM2.15 per litre, by smuggling syndicates or ineligible industrial users.
KPDN, in a statement today, said it has deployed 2,400 enforcement officers nationwide to conduct field inspections and monitoring.
Through Operation TIRIS 4.0, the ministry will strengthen integrated collaboration with the Border Control and Protection Agency, the Royal Malaysia Police, and other enforcement agencies to close any loopholes that could facilitate subsidy abuse.
“Any attempts by individuals or syndicates to take advantage of the global conflict will not be tolerated. Misappropriation of national subsidies is a betrayal of the people and the country. The strictest enforcement action will be taken without any compromise,” Azman warned.
The ministry also called on Malaysians—consumers, traders, industry players, and organisations—to support the KITA GEMPUR initiative (Campaign Against Manipulation and Leakage) to protect the country’s resources. Complaints or information can be submitted via WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the KPDN e-Complaint Portal, the Call Centre at 1-800-886-800, or the Ez Adu mobile application. - March 28, 2026
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