KUALA LUMPUR – The implementation of a pilot project involving petrol stations without subsidies at two stations in Perlis since February has helped to save almost RM6 million in the government’s fuel subsidy allocation, said Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh.
“In the first two months, there was a decrease in sales of diesel and RON95 at subsidised stations with savings of RM1.77 million and RM3.98 million respectively.
“At non-subsidised petrol stations, there was an increase (in sales) of diesel and also RON95.
“What it means is that foreign vehicles ‘self-regulate’, because fuel prices in Thailand are more expensive.
“So no matter what, they come and buy (petrol) in our country even without subsidies, (because) the price is cheaper than in their country,” she said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.
She said this in reply to a question from Senator Hussin Ismail, who wanted to know in detail about the mechanism for implementing petrol stations without subsidies as well as the mechanism for controlling subsidised fuels.
The two petrol stations involved in the pilot project are located in Padang Besar and Wang Kelian.
Meanwhile, Fuziah said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry also implemented the Op Tiris operation as another mechanism to control leakage of fuel subsidies.
“During Op Tiris, which was carried out from March 1 to May 31, a total of 6,571 inspections were conducted, in which there were 221 cases with seizures valued at RM5.41 million and 198 arrests,” she said. – Bernama, June 22, 2023
