Perak: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has enhanced its 24-hour monitoring efforts at petrol stations located along the Perak-Thailand border in a bid to prevent fuel smuggling activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamaluddin Ismail emphasized that strict measures will be enforced against individuals found engaging in RON95 petrol smuggling. He highlighted that inspections have been increased across petrol stations throughout the state, with both uniformed and undercover officers conducting surveillance.

In a related development, Kamaluddin assured that essential supplies such as cooking oil and sugar are adequately stocked, based on recent shop inspections. Meanwhile, KPDN enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam stated that nationwide enforcement of the RON95 petrol subsidy, under the BUDI MADANI RON95 initiative, is being strengthened. The strategy involves an intelligence-driven approach to prevent abuse of the subsidy.

The initiative seeks to curb potential leakages in the BUDI MADANI RON95 scheme, amidst rising global oil prices influenced by the West Asia conflict, which have made Malaysia's petrol a lucrative option for those seeking cheaper fuel. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously affirmed that the RON95 subsidy, under BUDI95, would remain at RM1.99 per litre despite the escalating global prices due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.