Petroleum Dealers Association Urges Crackdown on Fuel Station Misinformation Amid Shortage Concerns

Malaysian Fuel Dealers Call for Action Against Misinformation Amid Shortage Concerns

The Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has called upon the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to take decisive action against any petrol station operators found to be spreading misinformation about fuel supply, as public anxiety grows over alleged shortages across the country.

In a statement to Scoop, a PDAM spokesperson emphasized the need for regulatory intervention if investigations reveal deliberate miscommunication about fuel availability.

“If there are irregularities or deliberate miscommunication, then KPDN should step in and investigate. Action can be taken against any party found to be contributing to misinformation, as this affects public trust and industry stability,” the representative stated.

The association delivered a pointed warning that petrol station operators must refrain from creating false impressions of supply disruptions where none exist, noting such behavior undermines consumer confidence in Malaysia’s fuel distribution system.

“We believe that if there are any parties contributing to unclear messaging or creating unnecessary panic at station level, they should not be doing so. Petrol station operators do not have the authority to shape or speculate on supply conditions in a way that misleads the public,” the PDAM spokesperson added.

The association’s statements come amid widespread social media reports claiming temporary closures at various petrol stations due to fuel shortages and price volatility. However, PDAM maintains there is no concrete evidence supporting claims of a nationwide supply disruption.

“There is still no clear understanding of what is actually happening. From what we have observed, Petronas does not appear to have any supply issues at all. As for Shell, when we spoke to several dealers, they were unable to identify any concrete problem within the supply chain,” the representative clarified.

The Malaysian fuel market situation unfolds against a backdrop of significant global energy market volatility. Recent military exchanges between the United States, Israel, and Iran have heightened tensions in the Middle East, a critical region for global oil production. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments pass—has particularly rattled international energy markets and raised concerns about potential supply constraints and price increases worldwide.

Despite these international pressures, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has sought to reassure the Malaysian public, stating that the nation maintains sufficient oil and gas reserves to meet domestic needs until at least May.

Meanwhile, Shell Malaysia has acknowledged experiencing intermittent supply issues at some of its stations and is working to restore normal operations across its retail network. The company characterized the situation as “dynamic” but did not specify how many of its stations were affected or the extent of the shortages.

“We are closely monitoring what is a very dynamic situation and are prioritising efforts to support fuel supply continuity within our retail network, in line with the government’s recent announcement,” Shell Malaysia told The Edge.

Local reporting indicates the scope of disruption may be limited. KPDN in Penang reportedly received just one complaint about RON95 shortages at a Shell station, with five other stations reporting diesel supply issues, according to The Star.

Adding complexity to the situation, the Finance Ministry recently announced significant price increases for unsubsidized fuels. Diesel prices in Peninsular Malaysia reached a record RM6.72 per liter, while premium RON97 petrol increased by 40 sen to RM5.35 on April 8. The government-subsidized RON95, which most Malaysian motorists rely on, remains fixed at RM1.99 per liter.

Industry insiders note that the growing gap between subsidized and market rates is creating financial challenges for station operators, who must manage increasing working capital requirements to maintain adequate stock levels.

On global markets, Brent crude oil—the international benchmark—was trading at approximately US$98 (RM390) per barrel as uncertainty persists over a potential US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Energy analysts suggest that continued stability in Malaysia’s domestic fuel supply will depend on both global market conditions and the effectiveness of the government’s subsidy mechanisms in cushioning the impact of international price volatility on local consumers.