Shell petrol stations nationwide were unable to accept credit card transactions since 1am this morning. 

In a statement this afternoon, the Shell Malaysia said efforts are under way to identify the cause of the proble.

"We can confirm that 230 of our retail stations are operating normally, accepting cash and credit card transactions. Most other station are accepting cash payments. 

"We truly regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and our retailers. We are working round the clock to resolve the matter," said the company.

Earlier today, the company denied media reports that Shell petrol stations nationwide were shut down due to a technical glitch.

"Some of the stations are offline (consumers being unable to pump fuel). Some can still accept cash transactions. To say that all stations have been closed is untrue.

"We are in the process of rectifying the problem," the company's media relations officer Eevon Chung told Malaysiakini.

Several Chinese newspapers initially reported nationwide that Shell petrol stations had been shut down due to technical issues.

Meanwhile, The Star reported that the glitch was related to its centralised monitoring system, crippling the operation of 900 Shell stations nationwide.

The report stated that only petrol stations with the older version of the pumps, which are not linked directly to the system, were able to dispense fuel.

However, it added, only a handful of the stations have such older machines.