More effective enforcement methods are on the cards as the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry attempts to put the brakes on illegal sale of subsidised diesel.

The minister Mohd Shafie Apdal told the Dewan Rakyat today that this would supplement ongoing measures.

Varying degrees of action have been instituted against operators of 44 petrol stations between January and March, he said when replying to points raised during the motion of thanks on the Royal address.

"Two have been taken to court, 25 have been fined,12 are still under investigation, while 'show cause' letters have been sent to five as to why their licence should not be revoked," he said.

Shafie said the new strategy would be submitted to the cabinet soon. His ministry is currently working out details together with the finance ministry, customs department and petrol station operators.

He said the strategy would take into consideration the need to prevent adding to the government's burden. At the same time, it would have to be effective in curbing offences, as well as benefit those who need subsidised diesel.

The number of the vehicles using diesel increased by 6.6 percent from 16,683 in 2003 to 17,784 last year. Usage of diesel, however, rose to 1.45 billion litres or by 35 percent last year, he said.

"This shows the (extent of) misuse of the subsidised diesel by the industrial and commercial sectors," he said.

Whipping suggested

Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP- Ipoh Timur) asked why a diesel crisis persists three months after the quota system was introduced.

Shafie said the supply of diesel would be sufficient for nationwide use if there is no "misuse".

In January, the ministry introduced a quota system to limit the sale of subsidised diesel at petrol stations to curb illegal sale to commercial users. This led to a severe shortage of diesel.

To a suggestion from Mohamed Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) that mandatory whipping be imposed to curb the problem, Shafie said this would not guarantee that the problem would be solved.

"However, if we think it is necessary, we will take note of the suggestion. The most important thing is that the public should come to us if they (have evidence of) misconduct at petrol stations," he said.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) suggested that the government should standardise the price of diesel.

"I don't agree with the suggestion. I don't think it is going to be efficient, although I concede the current approach might not be 100% efficient," Shafie said.