SHAH ALAM – Terengganu Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry confirmed that there had been a shortage of petrol at several service stations in the country, as claimed on social media on Friday.
Its director Saharuddin Mohd Kia said the ministry’s investigation revealed that the incident was caused due to unexpectedly higher petrol consumption following the increase in the number of vehicles returning hometown to celebrate Aidilfitri.
"Every station has the amount of petrol used for a certain period, but due to excessive usage during Hari Raya, the petrol runs out before the date the new supply was supposed to be replenished.
"Most of the affected gas stations are on the main route of Besut to Kuala Terengganu as they were easily accessible to road users," said Saharuddin when contacted by Sinar Ahad.
He said the lack of supply only involves RON95 petrol and the situation was expected to be fully recovered in stages.
He added the effort to replenish the new supply of petrol at the stations was time-consuming due to traffic congestion as the tank trucks were stuck in traffic too, making it difficult for the trucks to arrive on time.