SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment wants a review of the guidelines for the export of petrol from this area to South Philippines.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the move was to prevent an untoward incident especially fires involving petrol which would have a detrimental effect on the environment and people.
He said the fire involving a petrol junk or a freighter ship from the Philippines carrying 550 drums with 11,000 litres of petrol at a private jetty at Km 10 Jalan Batu Sapi last Saturday should be taken as a reminder.
He said existing guidelines should be reviewed to prioritise preventive measures.
He said joint discussions were being held with the relevant parties especially the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) as well as the Customs Department which considered all aspects in the export of petrol fuel to South Philippines.
“The focus is on the use of freighter ships from the Philippines and safety aspects at the jetties,” he told reporters after a dialogue session with suppliers, exporters and transporters of petrol and jetty operators here yesterday.
Wan Junaidi said his ministry, through the Department of Environment (DOE) urged petrol freighter and storage ships to use materials which did not leak or burn easily. The ships should also be equipped with fire control equipment in the event of spillages.
Wan Junaidi also urged jetty operators to implement the first stage of the Oil Spill Control Contingency Plan and provide facilities and training in the event of oil spills. — Bernama