KUALA LUMPUR: Several non-governmental organisations (NG0s) have formed a coalition called Gagasan Anti Seleweng Subsidi (GASS) to assist government's efforts in combating fuel smuggling activities.
New Straits Times
Its president, Ruslan Kassim, said the organisation consisted of 10 NGOs, among them Jaringan Melayu Malaysia, Perkasa, Jaringan Cina Malaysia and Gabungan Anti-Penyelewengan Kedah. These NGOs would dispatch their members to areas known to be hotspots for diesel smuggling activities.
"Our members will be the eyes and ears at hotspots areas in the northern, southern and the upper east coast of the peninsula which are near jetties," said Ruslan, adding that GASS would report its findings to the MACC.
"Malaysia lost RM8.5 billion last year because of fuel smuggling activities. We need to stop this," said Ruslan here yesterday.
He said Malaysians also "lost" its diesel to visitors from neighbouring countries who were paying cheaper prices compared with those in their country.
He said Malaysia spent RM12 billion to subsidise RON95 for 15.5 million vehicles last year compared with RM4 billion in 2010 for 13.5 million vehicles.
"Clearly, something is wrong here because it doesn't make sense for the country to spend 200 per cent more on fuel subsidies when the number of vehicles last year only increased by 15 per cent."
Ruslan urged the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to come up with the right mechanism to deter irresponsible parties from taking advantage.
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