BUTTERWORTH: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has recorded eight diesel misappropriation cases in Penang this year, with total seizures amounting to RM415,877.
Its Penang director S. Jegan said five lorry drivers, aged between 30 and 40, were arrested for illegal storage activities in the south Seberang Perai area.
“Misappropriation of controlled goods, particularly subsidised fuel, is still being detected and requires continuous enforcement.
“All the eight cases recorded from January till now are still under investigation and pending prosecution,” he said during checks at a petrol station along the North-South Expressway in Sungai Dua here yesterday.
Codenamed Ops Tiris 4.0, the inspections aim to ensure compliance, reduce subsidy leakages and curb smuggling.
Jegan said enforcement has been intensified, with 215 fuel stations inspected in Penang so far this year.
With the policy barring foreign-registered vehicles from purchasing RON95 and restricting the use of international credit and debit cards at self-service pumps effectively came into force on Wednesday, Jegan said they have also checked 126 petrol stations for compliance so far.
He said some 130 enforcement personnel have been deployed at strategic locations statewide.
“With the number of fuel stations exceeding our manpower, we hope operators will help ensure only eligible local vehicles purchase RON95,” he said.
