More than 50 General Operations Force personnel are now stationed at nine high-risk petrol stations in Kelantan to prevent fuel smuggling to Thailand
TUMPAT: More than 50 personnel from the General Operations Force have been deployed to petrol stations in four Kelantan districts. The operation aims to curb fuel leakages across the Thai-Malaysia border.
Southeast Brigade PGA Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said nine high-risk stations are involved. These include four in Tumpat, two each in Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas, and one in Jeli.
Personnel are deployed in shifts with two officers per shift. Stations operating 24 hours have up to six personnel across three shifts.
“For stations operating for limited hours, four personnel are assigned for two shifts until operations end,” he told Bernama. Deployed personnel will monitor fuel purchases and conduct inspections if suspicious activities are detected.
It is understood that 48 petrol stations within a 25-kilometre radius of the border are also being monitored by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. PGA personnel from Battalion 8 Pengkalan Chepa are also stationed at stations near border points in Rantau Panjang.
They are monitoring vehicles, particularly foreign-registered ones. A Bernama survey at two stations near the Rantau Panjang checkpoint found tightened control measures with continuous PGA monitoring.
Personnel were seen inspecting vehicles refuelling and monitoring the type of fuel used. They also ensure no filling into additional containers or drums in violation of regulations.
Foreign-registered vehicles are given special attention to ensure compliance. Regulations allow them to purchase only RON97 petrol, preventing misuse of subsidised fuel.
The situation at the petrol stations was observed to be under control with users complying. The presence of PGA personnel also serves as a deterrent against any attempts at malpractice.
On April 11, police deployed personnel to more than 80 petrol stations near the border as an immediate measure. This action was to curb petrol and diesel smuggling following the current global energy crisis.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail instructed Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail to take further action. This includes arranging personnel deployment to monitor stations and combat fuel smuggling activities.
