KUALA LUMPUR: Petrol station owners, who claim they were threatened by smuggling syndicates, have been advised to come forward and lodge a report with the authorities.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail made the call, as police have not yet received any reports on the matter.
"Petrol station licenses are issued by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, while the subsidy quota falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
"If there are threats, they fall under the jurisdiction of the police.
"If petrol station owners are indeed facing threats, they should immediately make a report so that action can be taken," he told reporters at the Crime Prevention Carnival in collaboration with the police, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and strategic partners from the local community."
Present were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, his deputy Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Home Ministry secretary-general (Security) Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman and ambassadors.
At the same press conference, Razarudin confirmed that the police have yet to receive reports from the affected petrol station owners.
"We have yet to receive any reports," he said.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali yesterday said the ministry has received reports from petrol station owners allegedly being threatened and coerced to continue selling subsidized diesel to smuggling syndicates.
The syndicates, Armizan said, had allegedly threatened to burn down petrol stations and damage facilities and intimidated the owners and their workers