KOTA BARU: The first of two petrol stations in Kelantan that will not provide subsidised fuel to motorists is nearly completed.
State Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Azman Ismail said the petrol station is in Rantau Panjang, about 4 kilometres from the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex.
He added that another non-subsidised petrol station, which is in Jeli, had yet to receive
approval from the Finance Ministry.
"We expect the station in Rantau Panjang to begin operating after Hari Raya Aidilfitri — maybe in June," he said.
He added the move to set up the stations was to prevent the leakage of subsidised petrol and diesel.
"Once the stations operate, foreign motorists are banned from filling up fuel at other stations," he said.
On reports that smugglers choose sahur (pre-dawn) and breaking of fast times to carry out their activities, Azman said the state KPDN was aware.
"We knew about their activities and will work with other border agencies closely to prevent smuggling activities along the Kelantan-Thai border," he added.
Yesterday, state Customs director Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said smugglers are now choosing pre-dawn and breaking of fast times to bring in illicit cigarettes into Malaysia.
He said the department detected the tactics during its latest operation on Monday, where it seized 960,000 sticks of illicit cigarettes in an operation near Pantai Cahaya Bulan.
