Malaysia Deploys Security Forces to Border Petrol Stations Amid Rising Fuel Smuggling

Article by Viory

Malaysia has deployed security forces to dozens of petrol stations in its border towns to combat a reported surge in fuel smuggling amid a spike in subsidy costs.

Footage from Rantau Panjang on Friday shows police officers patrolling a petrol station as locals refuel their vehicles.

Locals welcomed the move, describing it as ‘appropriate and necessary’ amid what they described as limited fuel resources.

“It is appropriate for the government to place enforcement agencies at petrol stations to prevent leakages and misuse of our subsidised fuel, especially considering how widespread such leakages had been previously,” one local said.

“I strongly agree with the move to place enforcement authorities at petrol stations for the time being to prevent leakages and misuse. Fuel resources are more limited now, so I believe it is a reasonable step,” another added.

Authorities deployed police and paramilitary personnel to petrol stations along the border with Thailand after reports of subsidised fuel leakages at 36 ‘hotspot’ stations, with 55 locations deemed at ‘high risk.’

The operation targets border stations in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak. Security officials will monitor stations during peak filling hours, with some locations receiving 24-hour monitoring.

Meanwhile, local reports also suggest that between 151 and 170 high-risk stations nationwide are currently under surveillance.

This comes amid a global energy crunch triggered by the outbreak of the war in Iran and subsequent disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Limited cargo vessels and other maritime traffic resumed at the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after Iranian authorities lifted the blockade following the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, Iran declared the following day that its forces will resume ‘strict control’ of the strait after President Donald Trump announced that the US’s naval blockade of the strait would not end until an ‘agreement is signed’ between both sides.

Disruptions to the important marine route, which normally carries around 20 percent of global oil shipments, has triggered surging energy prices globally and raised fears of economic fallout.

Article by Viory