Ketidakpastian cukai minyak bercampur jejas operasi

The ambiguity surrounding the tax on blended crude oil cargoes being stored in dry land tanks at the Tanjung Langsat Port in Johor has sparked concerns about the impact on the shipping and petroleum industries. Jeyenderan Ramasamy, a player in the industry, urged the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) to clarify whether such a practice is permitted and how taxes should be applied.

Ramasamy emphasized that the issue is crucial because Tanjung Langsat Port manages the handling of petroleum cargoes lifted from ships into dry land tanks during vessel transfer or transhipment operations. He noted that blending of cargoes may occur during such operations, but companies require clear guidelines regarding regulations and applicable taxes.

In a statement, Ramasamy pointed out that when different consignments are mixed in dry land tanks, customs must determine if the blending is accurate and how the concerned cargo should be taxed thereafter. He stressed that the customs should not allow companies to interpret regulations on their own, as mistakes could lead to significant financial consequences.

"If this practice is allowed, customs must clearly state the conditions to be followed. If taxes are to be paid, companies must know exactly how they are calculated. If no tax is to be applied under the prevailing regulations, that should also be clearly stated," he said.

Ramasamy highlighted that ongoing uncertainty could lead to delays in cargo, increased storage costs, and disrupted business operations. He also urged the customs department to discuss with industry players to understand the real operations of petroleum cargoes at Tanjung Langsat, including storage and transhipment processes. Prior to this, concerns had arisen about the blending of diverse crude oils in dry land tanks upon arrival from ships, which could alter the cargo condition and cause problems in classification, assessment, and taxation if documents are not updated accurately.