KOTA KINABALU: An attempt to siphon out subsidised diesel in Sandakan was thwarted by enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Sandakan branch.
The ministry's branch chief Joe Azmi Jamil said two people were arrested in connection with seizing 120 litres of subsidised diesel contained in seven jerrycans in the back of a four-wheel drive vehicle at a petrol station in Sandakan.
He said the two male suspects, a local, 34, and a foreigner, 49, were detained after failing to produce authorisation or permits for purchasing the subsidised diesel.
The total seizure including the vehicle was worth about RM70,000.
The two men detained including the petrol station operator involved will be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Under the Act, any individual convicted of an offence may be fined up to RM1mil or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both.
For subsequent offences, the penalty increases to a fine not exceeding RM3mil or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both. For companies, the fine is up to RM2mil for the first offence and up to RM5mil for subsequent offences.
Joe Azmi said the raid was carried out under the ongoing Ops Tiris 4.0 by ministry officers specifically related to the misappropriation of controlled goods at petrol stations around the Sandakan district.
It was in line with a nationwide directive from April 1 requiring all licensed petrol stations to implement controls on diesel sales to land transport vehicles according to vehicle categories in quantities of 50 litres, 100 litres and 150 litres per transaction.
He said the directive ensures that subsidised diesel, sold at RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, is not exploited by smuggling syndicates or unqualified industrial sectors.
He reminded petrol station operators that they were prohibited from selling RON95 petrol and subsidised diesel to buyers without written authorisation from the Controller of Supplies Malaysia.
Public can forward information or complaints via WhatsApp 019-848 8000 or the ministry e-Aduan Portal at https://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my or the call centre at 1-800-886-800.
