Although petrol ran out in all Shell stations here yesterday, he said this was just a technical error of the company. It had nothing to do with petrol shortage, he added.

'The error has been identified and Shell is rectifying the problem now.'

In a press statement received here yesterday, Tiong, who is also a Justice of the Peace, said the people needed to remain calm because since early yesterday, they had become panicky when they found out the problem, but, without understanding the situatuion.

'After I received the numerous calls from the public, I had checked with the Domestic Trade and Consumer's Affairs office here.'

He said the problem had arisen only in Shell stations because there was a computer error and petrol for their stations in Bintulu had been mistakenly directed to Kuching instead. 

'On behalf of the people, I am calling on Shell to rectify the situation soonest. Petrol supply is sufficient and all that the people need to do now is to go to Petronas stations for oil refill instead.'

He said price of oil also remained unchanged.