The fuel-saving measures announced in Myanmar are not due to a lack of fuel in the country but are based on calculations regarding potential long-term issues, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the National Defence and Security Council, on March 4.
The National Defence and Security Council’s information team announced that starting March 7, privately owned vehicles will be allowed to operate on alternating days according to their license plate numbers — vehicles with even numbers on even dates and those with odd numbers on odd dates. The announcement has drawn some criticism, and amid reports of vehicles queuing at certain fuel stations, Major General Zaw Min Tun clarified the country’s fuel management situation.
“The main reason for issuing this order is not because our country lacks fuel reserves. We issued it solely as a precautionary and fuel-saving measure after calculating possible long-term developments. The aim is to ensure systematic usage and enable Myanmar to systematically overcome the fuel-related difficulties currently being experienced globally,” he said.
According to him, Myanmar’s daily fuel consumption stands at approximately 1.5 million gallons of petrol and 1.7 million gallons of diesel, totaling about 3.2 million gallons per day. At present, the country has reserves of about 60 million gallons of petrol and nearly 70 million gallons of diesel.
“Therefore, I would like to firmly state that Myanmar currently has sufficient fuel reserves for another 40 days,” he added.
He also said that two fuel tankers are currently docked at port awaiting unloading, while 14 additional fuel tankers that have already been purchased are en route and expected to arrive within days without difficulty.
Regarding reports that neighboring Thailand had suspended fuel exports, he described such claims as rumors. He explained that Myanmar imports fuel from Singapore and Malaysia among Southeast Asian countries. Both countries have oil refineries and will continue operating them, importing crude oil from other sources even if supply from the Middle East is disrupted, as fuel refining is a key part of their economies.
“For that reason, there is no cause for fuel shortages in our country. However, given the global situation, domestic fuel prices may fluctuate in line with international market prices,” he said.
He added that due to incitement and speculation, some members of the public are queuing to purchase fuel at certain stations. He emphasized that there is no risk of fuel shortages and urged people to purchase fuel systematically based on actual need. Fuel stations will remain open, and the Ministry of Energy will release contact numbers for the public to report any stations that refuse to sell fuel, he said.
