Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Mohd Shafie Apdal came under siege over the diesel shortage, as opposition members of Parliament rounded on him in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Shafie had prefaced his reply on an emergency motion on the diesel shortage by citing statistics on the amount of subsidies given by the government over the last few years and quantity of diesel used by the industrial and commercial sectors.

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang summed up sentiments bluntly: "The public does not want to hear statistics, the public wants a solution. Don't talk nonsense... We don't want (the solution in) 10 days, settle it tomorrow. If it can't be settled, the minister should resign."

Salahudin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) had filed the emergency motion, in the wake of a critical nationwide shortage that has affected lorry and bus services . The government had implemented a monthly quota for subsidised diesel in January.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) said illegal diesel sales take place because there are two different prices. Subsidised diesel is 88 sen per litre, while the commercial price of RM1.70 per litre.

Abdul Fatah Harun (PAS-Rantau Panjang) said the government should act urgently to prevent problems, remarking that the minister has not handled the matter well. He suggested tighter enforcement to prevent smuggling.

Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) suggested that diesel should be made available at all petrol stations, while Liow Tiong Lai (BN-Bentong) said the quota system should be abolished as it burdens the public. Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) wanted a single pricing structure for diesel.

Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) called for the law to be amended to jail diesel smugglers, and proposed implementation of a coupon system to prevent illegal sales of diesel.

"The minister does not have to resign. If ministers have to resign over every problem, we (the Parliament) will be in trouble," he said to the amusement of the House.

Normal supply soon

Shafie calmly assured the House that the supply of diesel would be back to normal in a day or two "unless there is illegal activity", and called for co-operation all round.

"All views, including those of the opposition will be raised at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tomorrow," he said, adding that a long-term solution would be discussed.

Shafie conceded that it is not easy to monitor the situation at petrol stations, saying that problems are caused by "traitors" who smuggle the diesel.

Short-term steps will include tightening enforcement immediately, with the assistance of Anti-Corruption Agency officers.

"I am not afraid of calls for my resignation," he said to the jeers of opposition MPs.

At a press conference later, he asked: "Why should I listen to those people?"

He added that diesel supply would be restored in the next few days and that it "would be sufficient up to Sunday".