FUEL STOCK CONCERN FOR DEALERS

Fuel stock concern for dealers

By : R.S. Kamini and Kristina George

KUALA LUMPUR: The Petroleum Dealers' Association of Malaysia wants the government to implement a standard system to measure fuel stock at all pumps.

Association president Abdul Wahid Bidin said if the retail price was to be fixed at the beginning of each month, it would be difficult for dealers to gauge the monthly stock needed to maintain a profit.

He said if the retail price of petrol was to fall to RM2.20 per litre, operators carrying a 100,000 litre stock could lose up to RM50,000.


"How are they going to control the stock? Some of us still measure our stocks manually before informing the oil companies to replenish it," he said, adding only a few stations had an online monitoring system to check fuel stock.


He said dealers and operators should be reimbursed for losses if the government did not place a proper gauging system.
The association also touched on the implementation of the self-service system (SSS), which it said would lead to less competition.


Abdul Wahid said at present some station owners were burdened by the cost of "idle" pump attendants. But he urged a delay in its implementation unless the government could reassure them that oil companies would not manipulate the ruling to their benefit.


"Some companies might try now to 'modify' the ruling, saying that the rule only states no filling customers vehicle tanks with petrol and that it does not include window washing or other services."

In June, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad announced the implementation of the SSS nationwide from yesterday.

The minister said all customers, excluding those who were aged, disabled or pregnant, would be required to fill their own tanks.


The ruling applies to all petrol stations nationwide, except small, unbranded ones in rural areas.


The number allowed in the forecourt area will also be limited to one for stations with four islands or fewer, two at stations with five to six islands and three at stations with more than seven islands.


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my


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