Expecting fuel prices to drop early next year, petrol pump operators in Kota Baru, Kelantan, have refused to stock up on petrol and diesel, resulting in the depletion of these fuels in the state capital.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Alias Ahmad has admitted that although the disastrous floods had also contributed to fuel depletion, there are some unaffected areas where the fuels have also exhausted.

“We believe there are oil operators taking advantage of the floods by refusing to obtain fuel supplies because of news of price drops (for petrol and diesel) early next year.

“They are waiting for the prices to drop so that they can reap more profit before resupplying,” Alias ( left ) is quoted  as saying by Malay daily Sinar Harian yesterday.

He said the petrol station operators at the unaffected areas were still able to operate as usual because Terengganu was still accessible.

More than 170 petrol stations in Kelantan have stopped operations as many operators are unable to get their supplies due to the floods, the paper reported.

Alias was reported saying that the ministry was taking this issue very seriously and would suspend the licences of fuel pump operators if they were found to have purposely allowed the commodity to run dry.

“I warn that fuel station operators found practising this will have their licences suspended immediately,” he is quoted as saying.