Checks at petrol stations in the Rantau Panjang area showed that the diesel pumps were largely unused, with only one vehicle being filled up in an hour of observations. NSTP/NIK ABDULLAH NIK OMAR
Checks at petrol stations in the Rantau Panjang area showed that the diesel pumps were largely unused, with only one vehicle being filled up in an hour of observations. NSTP/NIK ABDULLAH NIK OMAR

RANTAU PANJANG: Diesel pumps at several stations in this area have gone "quiet" since this morning after the subsidy rationalisation took effect at midnight.

Checks here found the atmosphere at the petrol stations to be very different compared to before, where four-wheel-drive vehicles had to queue up to fill up on diesel.

People are only visiting these stations to get petrol, with only one vehicle owner filling up on diesel within an hour of observations.

The situation was confirmed by petrol station employees who reported a significant decrease in visitors today compared to before.

A rental car driver who wanted to be known only as Yahya, 58, said today's situation was very different because previously, four-wheel-drive vehicles were already queuing to fill up on diesel early in the morning.

"Today, the situation is quiet, possibly because people are still shocked by the new prices.

"At the same time, people may have already filled up on diesel yesterday after the government's announcement.

"For me, living in a border area, this diesel adjustment has its benefits because diesel here is largely used for smuggling. However, it still hasn't been able to curb smuggling, as they will now switch to petrol," he said.