CUSTOMERS, BUSINESSES BRACE FOR MORE SCRUTINY
There have been local reports citing KPDN’s success at foiling attempts to smuggle or stockpile petrol.
Late last month, the ministry’s Johor division halted an attempt to steal 800 litres of diesel at a Petron petrol kiosk in Pasir Gudang, a haul worth more than RM20,000.
More recently, Malaysia’s border control and protection agency (AKPS) detained a Thai soldier at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint in Kedah on suspicion of attempting to smuggle petrol out of the country.
A Thai outlet also reported that authorities in southern Thailand are investigating a Malaysian-owned logistics company after around 100,000 litres of diesel were found stored on its premises in Sadao district.
KPDN Minister Armizan Mohd Ali was recently quoted by local Malaysian media as saying that authorities will be stepping up enforcement operations at the land borders, including at petrol kiosks near the borders to curb leakages.
Sedek told CNA that the price disparity between the prices of petrol in Malaysia as compared to Thailand and Singapore have become “structurally significant and economically consequential”.
He noted that Malaysia’s RON97, at approximately RM4.95, remains markedly cheaper than Benzine 95 in Thailand at roughly 43.95 baht (RM5.46) and substantially below prices in Singapore, where premium platinum 98 fuel is priced around S$4.00 (RM12.50).
“These are not marginal differences but deep and persistent price distortions that effectively convert fuel into a cross-border arbitrage asset,” added Sedek.
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