Over 17,000 litres of pilfered diesel seized in Sabah after three-day stakeout

The skid tanks found at the location

KOTA KINABALU: Enforcement authorities seized more than 17,000 litres of subsidised diesel that were kept illegally at an unnumbered store in Inanam near here on Monday (Feb 27).

A team from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry staked out the premises at Kampung Kionsom for three days before storming the location at 5.20pm.

The ministry’s Sabah director Georgie Abas said it was believed they crippled a misappropriation scheme following the raid which also saw items like skid tanks, electronic pumps and related paraphernalia seized.

“We seized a total of 17,195 litres of diesel in a tanker lorry and estimate that all the confiscated items are worth over RM93,000,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 28).

“We also detained a local man who is believed to be the store owner.

“According to the suspect, the controlled goods were acquired from a legitimate industrial supplier but the man failed to produce any document or valid licence allowing him to store the items at the location,” he added.

Georgie said the case was being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for having controlled goods and intending to commit an offence with the items as well as not having a valid licence.

He added the case will also be probed under Section 20(1) of the same Act for storing the goods at a location without proper approval from the authorities.

Under the Act, he explained, anyone found guilty will be liable to a maximum RM1mil fine, further fines of up to RM3mil for any subsequent offence, or three years’ imprisonment, or both.

As for companies, he said, those proven to have violated the law face a maximum fine of RM2mil as well as up to RM5mil for any subsequent offence.

Georgie warned that the ministry will not hesitate to suspend the licences of fuel stations suspected of being involved in misappropriation until the probe is completed.

“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely as well as carry out regular inspections to prevent the misappropriation of subsidised fuel in Sabah,” he said.

He urged those with information on such activities to report the matter to the ministry via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 or 019-848 8000 or contact its call centre at 1-800 886 800 or its Enforcement Command Centre at 03-8882 6088 / 6245.

He added that the public may also file online complaints through e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my or email to [e-mail] or they can visit the nearest ministry office.