KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to lift the freeze on application for petrol stations in rural areas, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek said yesterday.
He said the freeze was imposed in 2007 and with it being lifted, it would open up opportunities for those keen to venture into the retail petroleum industry in the rural areas.
He said the freeze was lifted to meet current development and on the need to open mini-rural petrol stations in certain areas in the country.
“What is important for the ministry is to ensure consumers in the rural areas do no have problems to obtain their supply of petrol and subsidised diesel,” he added.
He was speaking at a dinner with operators of Buroqoil rural petrol stations here Friday onight.
With the freeze lifted, Hasan hoped it would provide opportunities to those who are genuinely keen to become entrepreneurs.
“We do not want to have petrol station operators who breach the law and regulations. The government will not hesitate to take stern action against those involved,” he added. — Bernama