20-litre limit for personal use, 100 litres for fishing vessels INCREASING demand for diesel and motor gasoline Premium 97 (Ron97) by neighbouring countries has led to a depletion of reserves under the countrywide stock of petroleum products, resulting in new fuel directives, stated the Petroleum Unit at the Prime Minister's Office.

In response to concerns raised by local fishermen on fuel curbs, a senior officer from the unit said that although the new directives might be a nuisance to some, the implementation of the new directives were crucial to ensure the sustainability of reserves and not meant to disrupt any fishing activities as they can still purchase fuel.

"The Petroleum Unit's task at hand is to ensure an adequate and stable countrywide stock supply for the general population, so the need to import the products will never arise due to the depletion of the country's reserves," he told The Brunei Times.

"The addition of new fuel directives is only to limit purchases on individuals on a daily basis. This is also to ensure a sustainability of our resources and also to protect it," he added.

He said that the unit will remain steadfast on its directives and urged everyone to abide by the regulations.

According to the Petroleum Unit, the new directives will be to limit the amount of purchases to 20 litres for personal use and 100 litres for fishing vessels and boats.

These purchases can only be made by those holding identification cards issued in Brunei Darussalam and must be filled in jerry cans or containers which are approved by authorities. The directive is only applicable for one purchase in a single day.

For purchases involving fishing activities or boats and vessels, purchases must be made using a fleetcard pre-approved by the authorities.

The fleetcards can be obtained from Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, however the rates and maximum volume of purchases will be set by the unit based on the directives.

The new directives will also deter any attempt to smuggle the commodity. Statistics from the Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance of Brunei Darussalam, showed an increase of smuggling offences involving petroleum products, particularly on diesel and Ron97 petrol.

"One hundred and forty-six cases were recorded in 2008 alone, compared to 43 cases reported in 2007, said Hj Zolkiflee Hj Abdul Karim, director of Petroleum Unit, during a recent event to educate the public on the new directives.

To enforce the directives, the penalty for smuggling petroleum products out of the country was also raised by relevant authorities, he said.

For the first offence, a fine not less than $10,000 and not more than $500,000 will be imposed. The jail sentence was also raised to not more than three years. The second and subsequent offences will incur a fine not less than $20,000 and not more than $500,000.

The jail sentence will be not less than six months and not more than five years.

The new directives were effective March 14, 2009.

In Courtesy of The Brunei Times