AZURA ABAS and KOI KYE LEE
PUTRAJAYA: Bunkering activities at private jetties nationwide are cancelled and prohibited with immediate effect.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said all bunkering licences that were previously approved were withdrawn.
He explained that bunkering is a process of supplying fuel to ships and the process would be reviewed by the ministry and Customs Department.
Hasan said the decision to cancel the existing permits was due to enforcement activities that were carried out and officers had found smuggling of diesel via the vessels.
On another issue, Hasan said oil companies would be taking over key petrol stations that had their licenses revoked following investigations of smuggling subsidised fuel.
He said: "However, this only applies to key petrol stations that supply fuel to the people as the ministry wants to ensure that there is continuous supply to the people."
However, Hasan added that it would only be a temporary measure as it would depend on the outcome of the probe carried out against them.