PETALING JAYA: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry intends to submit recommendations on improving the disbursement mechanism of subsidised fuel.
Its Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said a report on the ministry’s special operations against the theft of subsidised diesel meant for fishermen will be submitted to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, and recommendations will be made based on its findings.
He said since its launch on March 1 last year, three phases of the operation codenamed Op Tiris had led to crucial findings that can prevent further leakages of subsidised fuel.
Part of the enforcement to counter the leakage of subsidised fuel is the process of dispensing subsidised diesel to fishermen, added Armizan.
“The misappropriation of subsidised diesel is when it is sold to those in industries that do not qualify for it or when it is smuggled out to foreign fishermen.
“My ministry will continue to enhance our cooperation with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and relevant enforcement agencies,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Armizan said the latest success of Op Tiris was when its Selangor office and the police crippled a syndicate that specialised in stealing subsidised diesel, following a raid in Sungai Besar on Tuesday.
He said two caretakers of the premises and a driver, all aged between 30 and 40, were arrested during the raid.
“The building was used by the syndicate to store and transfer subsidised diesel meant for local fishermen,” he said, adding that 24,875 litres of diesel and equipment worth about RM187,350 were seized in the raid that was carried out following reports.
He added that investigations revealed the syndicate had been operating “for a very long period of time” and was involved in the theft of subsidised diesel on a large scale.
Armizan said under Op Tiris 3.0, the third phase of the operation between Jan 1 and March 6 this year, 9,093 premises were inspected nationwide and 2.264 million litres of subsidised diesel worth RM5.39mil were seized.
He said vehicles and various other equipment worth about RM12.46mil were also seized under that phase.
