Subsidised diesel misappropriation activity in Sandakan taken down

Ministry Sandakan office branch chief Azdy Zukkry John said 4,000 litres of diesel in a skid tank was seized during the raid under Ops Tiris.

KOTA KINABALU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Sandakan office took down a subsidised diesel misappropriation activity during an operation in the district on Wednesday (March 22).

The Ministry Sandakan office branch chief Azdy Zukkry John said 4,000 litres of diesel in a skid tank was seized during the raid under Ops Tiris conducted at an unnumbered store in Kampung Melayu, Batu 8 there at 4pm.

The Sandakan office has conducted three-days intelligence work before making the bust, he said in a statement on Thursday (March 23).

"The team also confiscated items believed to be used for misappropriation including an engine pump unit and a hose, with total seizure valued at RM9,600.

"A local man aged 64-years-old, suspected to be a worker at the location, was also apprehended and his statement taken to assist investigations under Control of Supplies Act 1961.

"Preliminary investigations found the worker unable to provide a permission document and a valid license to store the controlled goods at the location," he added.

The case would be investigated under Section 21 of the Act for unlawful possession of controlled articles, which would be read together with Regulation 3(1) of Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 (license required for dealing in scheduled articles, and for manufacturing), he added.

"Investigations will also be done under Section 20 (1) of the same Act (removal of controlled articles from business premises and storage from those approved by the controller)," Azdy said further.