Subsidised diesel worth over RM55,000 seized in Padang Besar

PADANG BESAR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) seized 26,000 litres of subsidised diesel worth RM55,900 through an Ops Tiris raid it conducted on a wholesaler’s premises here at 1pm on Saturday (April 8).

Perlis KPDN chief enforcement officer Farah Adlina Ropaie said the wholesaler was suspected of selling diesel to vehicles with Thai registration numbers based on a check of the stock book.

"When inspection was carried out at the premises...it was found that the wholesaler failed to maintain the stock book of controlled goods (diesel oil) and the supply obtained was doubtful.

"Following that, a total of 26,000 litres of diesel and related documents were seized for further action and investigation," she said at a press conference here Sunday (April 9).

Farah Adlina said licensed wholesalers dealing in controlled goods must maintain a stock book and failure to do so may subject them to action under Rule 13 of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and Rule 11 for dubious supplies.

She said the wholesaler had not updated the stock book for about a month, stressing that it must be updated every time diesel wholesalers receive their supplies.

"We will take action if the book is not updated even for a day," she added.

Farah Adlina said the wholesaler was suspected of being involved in the misappropriation of diesel for the last 12 months and investigations found that the oil supply was believed to have been obtained from a wholesaler in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah.

She said KPDN had recorded the statement of the premises owner, a man in his 40s, for further action. - Bernama