ALOR STAR (Malaysia): A fuel supply shortage has affected about 80 mini petrol station operators in the state.

Some of the stations located in rural areas had to shut down due to the shortage which was experienced since Friday.

Konsortium Pengedar Terus Bumiputera is responsible for supplying the fuel.

Checks in Pendang yesterday showed most of the kiosks displayed a minyak habis (out of fuel) notice.

Kiosk operator Tong Charen, 38, of Kampung Tok Set in Pendang, said he paid RM12,000 for 5,460 litres of petrol on Oct 27.

"I was supposed to get the fuel supply last Wednesday.

"Our business will be affected as we depend solely on the fuel," he said.

Another operator, Nasri Osman, 43, said: "I was told by other operators that supply will only be available on Tuesday."

Meanwhile, the consortium's northern region managing director Halim Ibrahim said the problem was due to a change in distribution process.

"We are in the process of handing over the fuel distribution to the headquarters in Kuala Lumpur," he said, adding that the transition would take effect on Thursday.

He admitted that 130 mini petrol stations in Kedah and Perak would be affected.