Report: Smugglers Prefer RON95 Over Diesel Now

Smugglers along the Malaysia-Thai border have switched to smuggling RON95 fuels instead of diesel, says KPDN.

According to Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister (KPDN) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, smugglers along the border now prefer to smuggle RON95 petrol instead of diesel. The minister adds that this new tactic was discovered since early this year.

Datuk Armizan said this to reporters earlier this week during a press conference whilst visiting the Kelantan-Thailand border in Tumpat. The minister adds that this switch in modus operandi was discovered by officers manning entry points in four states – Perlis, Perak, Kedah, and Kelantan.

“A majority of them have modified their vehicles and among the vehicles used were four-wheel-drive vehicles and sedan cars,” he was reported as saying by NST. He also highlighted that this illegal smuggling business were carried out by both petty smugglers and syndicates alike.

Reports by the ministry's officers at eight entry points highlighted issues related to diesel smuggling. It includes smugglers switching fuel from diesel to RON95 and making multiple trips to petrol stations for subsidised fuel, he said.

This change in tactic is perhaps an expected result following the government decision to end the open sale of subsidised diesel fuels in Malaysia soon. Instead, diesel subsidies are now retailed via commercial fleet card and through the Budi Madani scheme soon.

To overcome the situation, Datuk Armizan says that KPDN has issued a directive to petrol station owners to monitor and report vehicles that are detected making repeat purchases. Said directive takes effect today.

Additionally, Datuk Armizan says KPDN will also strengthen its cooperation with JPJ to carry out monitoring and inspections to detect modified vehicles used to smuggle subsidised fuels across the border.

“We hope they will give their co-operation and help the ministry track down the motorists who use modified 4WD vehicles and sedan cars to smuggle diesel and RON95,” expressed Datuk Armizan further.