KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) has been asked to assist the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in curbing the misappropriation of fuel subsidies, particularly in coastal and border areas of Sabah.
State Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Shahril Nizam Shahidin said TLDM could strengthen the ministry’s operational reach, especially in addressing smuggling activities and the misuse of controlled goods such as petrol and diesel.
“It serves as an important platform to strengthen bilateral cooperation, information sharing, and coordination of actions between the ministry and the Navy.
“This will enhance the effectiveness of enforcement in tackling the misappropriation of government subsidies in an integrated manner,” he said in a statement yesterday following a courtesy call from Eastern Fleet deputy commander Laksamana Muda Erman Shahril Adlan on Friday.
He added that assistance from TLDM would also help ensure supply security and market stability are maintained.
Also discussed during the courtesy call was the refinement of integrated operations, with regard to mechanisms and jurisdiction, to ensure that enforcement is carried out in a more organised and high-impact manner.
Shahril Nizam added that the implementation of the Rahmah Madani sales programme was also discussed.
On a separate matter, Johor ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said an eatery in Taman Megah Ria, Masai, was found to have misused subsidised cooking oil packets following an enforcement operation at 3pm on Thursday.
She said inspections revealed that the owner of the eatery had cut open packets of subsidised cooking oil and transferred the contents to bottles.
“Further inspections also found equipment, such as scissors, funnels, and bottles, believed to have been used in carrying out the activity at the premises,” she said in a statement yesterday. Bernama reported.
She said the eatery owner was also found to be storing controlled items, namely sugar and wheat flour, as well as packet cooking oil, without a valid permit.
The owner and manager were detained for further investigations under the Control of Supplies Act, she added.
She said the controlled goods and equipment believed to have been used in the suspected illegal activity were seized.
