The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) in Penang has taken immediate action against a petrol station at the North-South Expressway Rest and Service Area (R&R) northbound, following allegations that it refused to sell diesel to lorry drivers and prioritised regular customers.
Acting on a public complaint, five enforcement officers were deployed to the station at about 8pm yesterday to conduct investigations into the matter.
Penang KPDN Director S Jegan said initial physical inspections, as well as document and record checks, confirmed that diesel stock was still available at the premises.
However, further investigations found that the supply of B10 diesel from depots to the station had dropped by approximately 50 per cent since last Monday, which reportedly affected distribution at the site.
He said the station management had allegedly prioritised sales to regular customers, while limiting other customers to a maximum purchase of 20 litres per transaction.
A notice has been issued to the petrol station management, and investigations are being carried out under Section 16A(1)(b) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
KPDN Penang stressed that it will continue to intensify enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect consumer rights from any form of market manipulation or misconduct.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any irregularities through official KPDN channels, including the e-Aduan portal at kpdn.gov.my, WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the hotline 1-800-886-800, or the Ez ADU KPDN application.
The issue surfaced after videos went viral showing a lorry driver claiming he was denied diesel at a R&R station in Juru due to alleged fuel shortages.
