Over 2,000 litres of subsidised diesel seized in Tawau

KOTA KINABALU: Over 2,000 litres of subsidised diesel were seized as enforcement officials cracked down on an illegal distribution centre at Kampung Kobuta in Sabah's east coast Tawau district Monday (Sept 19).

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement officials also detained a local man believed to be a worker during the 10am raid where they seized 2,090 litres of diesel kept in a tank along with a lorry, an electric pump and a large hose.

All the equipment and vehicles are believed to be used for the illegal sale of subsidised diesel, the ministry's Sabah enforcement chief Zulfamy Mat Udi said.

He said the diesel seized was estimated to be worth RM35,993.50.

Zulfamy said they received initial information about the illegal activities from their enforcement division in Putrajaya and subsequently carried out intelligence gathering over three days before the raid.

"Based on the preliminary investigation, the worker at the location failed to submit any authorisation documents and valid licences to store the subsidised fuel at the location," he said in a media statement.

Zulfamy said the case was being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possession of controlled goods with the intention of committing an offence.

They were also investigating the operators for trading in controlled items without a valid licence as well as illegally storing the subsidised fuel.

The department has also temporarily closed a petrol station on suspicion of being an illegal supplier of subsidised fuel.