PETALING JAYA: The petrol shortage, which has gotten the public fuming over social media, was mainly at stations along highways as tankers bringing the supplies were hampered by traffic jams, says the Malaysia Petrol Dealers Association (PDAM).

       PDAM president Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz said supply was not affected at petrol stations outside major highways.

       “The shortage is not due to not (having) enough petrol in the country but getting the supply from the depot to the stations along the highways - that’s the problem.

       “A variety of factors are affecting this with the large amount of fuel purchased during the Hari Raya holidays being the main one.

       “You can see the horrible traffic jams as many are travelling. So sales would be extraordinary and because of this, stations along highways are facing shortages and having problems getting refills on time,” he said

       Some service stations, he was also quoted by Bernama as saying, reported that sales had surged by up to 50% following a sig- nificant increase in the number of vehicles on the roads during this period.

       “Usually, each petrol station will make a planning order the day before, which is around 20% (more than) normal-day sales.

       “But when many returned to their hometown, sales jumped by 50% compared to before and disrupted the planning of petrol stations,” he said, adding however that stations in cities and towns are operating normally.

       With most returning home over the weekend to resume work, Khairul said the supply issue should be resolved by Monday.

       He said when there is a marked increase in sales, oil companies are unable to supply large quantities and have to evenly distribute to all petrol stations that run out of petrol.

       “I would suggest filling up before the start of your journey.

       “Also if you need to refill petrol, find (a petrol station) that’s not on the highway and use that time to take a break,” he said.

       A shortage of petrol along major highways had brought frustration and anger among road users returning from their Hari Raya break.

       On Friday, about 200 vehicles were reportedly stranded near a petrol station - some from 6pm until midnight - near Kampung Saujana Setiu, Terengganu, after it ran out of stock.

       There have been reports of acute fuel shortages on the east coast and other parts of the country, which have sent tempers flaring.