KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is tightening enforcement and monitoring against potential fuel smuggling and supply risks as global oil prices surge above US$100 per barrel amid the Middle East crisis, said its minister Armizan Mohd Ali.

Armizan flagged the risk of fuel smuggling and supply disruptions to neighbouring countries because rising global oil prices widened the gap between Malaysia’s subsidised fuel prices and market prices in neighbouring countries.

“From the KPDN perspective, one issue arising from the ongoing conflict is the potential risk of smuggling,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Although the government has implemented targeted diesel subsidies and earlier reforms involving RON95, the risk of smuggling still exists because global oil prices have now exceeded US$100 per barrel, he said.

“The risk of smuggling remains high due to the difference between subsidised domestic prices and market prices in neighbouring countries that do not provide such subsidies. Therefore, we will strengthen enforcement,” he said.

Armizan said the ministry will intensify Ops Tiris to ensure fuel supplies are not smuggled across borders even as Aidilfitri approaches.

He added that the ministry is also concerned about possible misuse of subsidised fuel within the domestic industrial sector due to the significant price difference.

“Therefore, immediate monitoring of supply and stronger enforcement will be implemented,” he said.

On concerns over necessities prices amid the Middle East conflict, Armizan said the Prime Minister had raised the issue and instructed ministries to closely monitor developments.

He said ministries have been instructed to monitor the current situation and prepare projections for the immediate, medium- and long-term outlook within their respective areas of responsibility.

“During the Cabinet meeting last Wednesday, the Prime Minister instructed every ministry to act within their respective jurisdictions. As a government, we will step up monitoring. For KPDN, we will conduct periodic monitoring,” he said.

He assured the public that there is no need to worry or engage in panic buying ahead of the festive season.

Armizan said supply is sufficient not only for Hari Raya but also for the many open house events held in the weeks after the celebration.

“We have made early preparations together with the agriculture sector, wholesalers, producers and retailers. Therefore, there is no need for concern or panic buying,” he said.

Armizan added that the ministry will also work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry to identify essential goods that may be affected if the conflict continues.

“If necessary, we will identify alternative sources should exports from certain countries be disrupted. We already have contingency plans in place,” he said.

KPDN will implement the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026 from March 14 to March 28.

The scheme will run for 15 days — seven days before Hari Raya, one day during the celebration and seven days after.

A total of 27 types of goods will be placed under price control this year, compared with 26 items in 2025.

The ministry said most ceiling prices have either been maintained or reduced due to adequate supply and improved currency conditions.

KPDN enforcement officers nationwide will be deployed at public markets, farmers’ markets and shopping centres to ensure traders comply with the price controls.

Traders selling controlled goods above the ceiling price may face fines of up to RM100,000 for individuals or RM500,000 for companies under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

In conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, KPDN will also expand the Program Jualan Rahmah Madani (PJRM), increasing the number of subsidised goods from 40 to at least 50 items.

The ministry is also rolling out the Servis Ihsan Madani @ Petronas AutoExpert (SIM@PAX) programme, offering 10% to 30% discounts on vehicle servicing and lubricants at 124 participating workshops nationwide.

The programme runs from March 10 to March 17 and March 23 to March 31, with bookings available via the Setel application.

 The Sun Malaysia