Kota Kinabalu: Motorists still reeling from the steep fuel price hike announced recently were again sent scrambling to fill up their tanks Tuesday afternoon.
But this time it was not another price hike but due to panic buying started by rumours via SMS as well as word of mouth that stations were planning to shut down operations due to dissatisfaction over the charges imposed by credit card companies.
It also showed how a situation could turn chaotic if people believed SMSes sent out by quarters with an agenda or mischievous intent and when these keep being forwarded to everyone else by innocent parties.
A police report on this matter was lodged by Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan President Datuk Patrick Sindu at the downtown police station in the afternoon, urging the police and the Multimedia Commission (MMC) to track down the culprits.
At least one telco, Maxis, sent out SMSes advising subscribers not to believe the rumours.
Long queues formed at petrol stations soon after lunchtime in Tanjung Aru and Penampang and by 3pm massive traffic jams were reported all over the city, including Likas and Inanam.
There were reports of a seven-kilometre traffic jam along the Donggongon by-pass as motorists queued up to fill up at a solitary petrol station located in Kasigui along the Penampang-Tambunan road.
"Itu hari sudah baris mahu isi sebab harga minyak naik sekarang ini pulaÉsusahlah macam ini," (as if the recent fuel price hike was not enough, now this) said Michael, a government servant as he waited for his turn to fill up at a petrol station in Tanjung Aru.
Like countless motorists, he said he received an SMS from friends advising him to top up as the stations were going to stop selling fuel at 3pm).
He said if it was true that petrol stations were burdened by high charges imposed for credit card transactions, they should not affect the consumers but work it out.
It was reported Tuesday that the Petroleum Dealers Association had sent notices to its 3,500 members nationwide, advising them to accept only cash from motorists who fill up their tank effective Tuesday.
It quoted association president Abdul Wahid Oidin as saying that following the increase in fuel prices, petrol station operators could no longer be burdened by the charges imposed on them by credit companies.
A Daily Express check on petrol stations, indeed, found some not accepting credit cards. However, when asked to explain, the operators claimed it was because the system was "offline".
Another operator said his station would continue accepting credit cards and that as far as he was concerned there was no such thing as boycotting or refusing to sell fuel.
A staff at a station in Penampang near the State Archives also said she was instructed by her boss not to accept credit card transactions.
One motorist, Zin, was unaware of any announcement to not accept credit cards. "I don't even own a credit card. Friends told to me fill up saying petrol station operators were angry about something and were going to boycott selling petrol for a week," he said.
Those who usually topped up using credit cards felt the decision to not accept cards anymore was unfair, saying transactions via credit card were more convenient than paying in cash.
"In fact, I do not feel safe carrying money," said the man, adding the petrol station operators were too hasty in their decision.
He was also curious on how much in percentage the credit companies imposed on the petrol station operators for credit card transactions and hoped any decision not to accept credit cards would be reviewed.
Other motorists such as Ginudang Lajanty, a project manager with a construction company said he decided to queue not because of the rumours but "human instinct".
"I guess it just normal that when we see so many vehicles suddenly turning up at the petrol stations it makes us wonder and want to follow suit."
As for those caught in the traffic jam such as Lo, a businessman, the unnecessary situation was a waste of fuel and energy.
"I had to cancel a business meeting in the city that was supposed to be held today," he said, adding the situation has also affected the productivity of workers in both private and public sector as they had to skip work just to queue to fill up their vehicles.
Some motorists regretted that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sabah did not seize the moment to do their part to denounce the rumour over the air.
They said RTM, with their FM frequency with good reception in all vehicles, should have advise motorists to disregard the rumours.
"If such an announcement was made, there would have been less panic, considering that the vehicles lining up the roads to the fuel kiosks had caused a major traffic congestion.
They also noted the absence of traffic police personnel to direct traffic in the areas concerned.
DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
Sabah
25/06/08
PEOPLE'S POWER
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