NO permit is required to buy fuel in small quantities, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said today after a public notice posted by the ministry at all petrol stations sparked a social media storm.

The notice states that consumers, with effect from June 17, have been prohibited from buying petrol and diesel in containers – such as jerry cans or plastic drums – unless they had a permit from the ministry.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Nanta said fuel purchases of less than 20 litres and for use in emergency cases, like for cars stranded on the roadside, there is no need to apply for the permit under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

“This permit is required for purchases of more than 20 litres,” he added.

He said, even though the act states that a petrol station can only sell fuel if it is directly pumped into the vehicle’s fuel tank, there is an exception.

He said the act is to curb abuses by “irresponsible parties”.to the control and rationing of supplies, like subsidised petrol and diesel.

Nanta said any small companies, organisations or individuals can buy at most 20 litres of petrol and diesel from petrol stations for private use.

However, he said anyone requiring more than 20 litres needed to apply for a permit, which is available online and would take fewer than seven days to process, he said.

“The permit is free and is valid for a year,” he added.

The media yesterday reported individuals and fishermen were furious with the condition of having to apply for a permit for such small purchases.

The notice reportedly went up after the Department of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in Kuching disclosed they are investigating a station for selling the subsidised RON 95 fuel to a foreign registered vehicle. – July 28, 2022.