Residents in Mon State have criticised the prioritised sale of petrol to government employees under the military junta, who are reportedly allowed to purchase without queuing by using staff identification cards.
Civil servants can buy petrol once a day at designated times using their staff cards, except on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. In contrast, local residents are limited to purchasing petrol only twice a week under a quota system based on vehicle type, according to the junta’s Ministry of Energy.
Although there has been no official confirmation, residents in Thanbyuzayat Township reported that some petrol stations are already prioritising sales to government employees.
“There are instructions passed down to petrol stations regarding staff priority, although nothing has been officially announced. Since they were told, stations have to comply. Staff have had priority access even before,” said a source close to a petrol station.
Authorities are also reportedly planning to issue special cards for petrol purchases by government employees.
Residents said the preferential treatment is unfair to those who must wait in long queues under the sun for extended periods.
“Ordinary people have to stand in the heat for hours, but staff can just walk in, show their card, and fill up. Then they come back again. Some people even get sick from waiting too long,” said a woman from Mudon Township.
Residents are calling for fair distribution of petrol during the current shortage and are also urging authorities to abolish the unclear odd-even vehicle system.
Amid ongoing shortages and rising prices, the military junta announced on March 22 that all government employees must work from home every Wednesday and avoid non-essential travel and vehicle use.
The junta also said it has sufficient petrol reserves for 50 days and is arranging imports through alternative routes, urging the public not to engage in panic buying.
