PETALING JAYA: Petrol station operators have been warned not to use underhand tactics to try to make more profit.
Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement chief Datuk Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said the authorities and consumers were aware of the ruse used by such operators.
He was commenting on complaints by consumers on social media that some petrol stations they visited on Wednesday night closed earlier than usual claiming that they ran out of petrol.
"Don't use these tactics because the ministry and consumers know they only adopt such practices when fuel prices increase.
"We are aware of these cases and view them very seriously. (Dealers) should not behave like that," he told mStar, The Star's Malay language portal on Thursday.
There were claims that this was related to the announcement that prices for RON95 and RON97 petrol would be increased by four sen, while the price of diesel would be seven sen higher at midnight.
Mohd Roslan acknowledged that petrol station operators received updates on fuel prices before the public.
He said that it was possible that these petrol stations had genuinely run out of fuel, but consumers could lodge a complaint to the ministry if they suspected otherwise.
"If we receive a complaint, we will go and check if the underground tank has indeed run out of fuel.
"If it really is empty, the operator must prove that they have ordered more stock from the depot," he said.
According to Mohd Roslan, petrol station operators are not allowed to close their petrol stations or stop selling whenever they want.
He explained that this issue was not new and complaints have previously been made by the public, and the ministry had taken action on the operators involved.
"If they want to stop selling fuel because they want to go on holiday, for example, they need to inform the ministry beforehand. They cannot close without good reason," he said.
However, he advised consumers not to be confused as operating hours of petrol stations vary there are some that do close earlier.
He said that closing a petrol station without good reason or refusing to sell fuel to consumers is an offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Operators who are found guilty can face a compound, have their stations seized or be charged in court.
