More unsubsidised fuel stations to be set up in border areas: Zahid

PUTRAJAYA – More unsubsidised fuel stations in the country’s border areas will be set up to combat subsidised diesel leakages, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) today agreed to the proposed establishment of such stations in Kelantan’s Rantau Panjang and Bukit Bunga in Jeli, as well as Tebedu, Ba’Kalan, and Lundu in Sarawak.

The other locations proposed 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 a NACCOL meeting.

Zahid said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry had implemented the six-month Ops Tiris on March 1 this year to combat misappropriation of subsidised diesel.

As at March 31, a total of 3,424 inspections had been conducted throughout the country involving 92 cases and 88 arrests, with seizures totalling RM3.02 million in 41 cases under the operation, he said.

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

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

The domestic trade ministry introduced the Payung Rahmah programme to help the hardcore-poor B10 group – those earning below RM2,500 monthly – and the less fortunate get food and basic necessities assistance.

Since April 1 this year, 1,706 restaurants and food outlets throughout the country have implemented Menu Rahmah while Rahmah Ramadan Bazaars have been opened at 38 locations to sell food at Menu Rahmah 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) to a Food Security Agency.

“(The agriculture ministry) 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, April 3, 2023