SANDAKAN: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has expanded registration for its subsidised diesel control system for goods transport operators to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan beginning Monday (May 4).
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said companies in the goods transport sector can apply to be part of the Sistem Kawalan Diesel Bersubsidi via the MySubsidi portal.
The system, which covers 23 categories of goods transport vehicles such as cargo lorries, refrigerated trucks and tankers, is aimed at ensuring diesel subsidies are channelled to eligible commercial operators.
While diesel prices in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan remain subsidised, Armizan said the registration exercise is part of preparations to strengthen subsidy targeting and safeguard supply in the future.
"We want to ensure that our fuel supply does not flow out of the country and is not used by irresponsible parties, so that supply security for the rakyat and industries can be maintained," he said when met at a Jualan Rahmah Madani programme at the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency complex here on Tuesday (May 5).
Under the system, approved operators will be required to obtain a fleet card from oil companies to access subsidised diesel.
Armizan said approval under the scheme can be obtained within hours if documents are complete, but the fleet card application process may take between one and two weeks.
Recognising connectivity challenges in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, he said the ministry will provide online and physical registration options.
Applications can also be made at the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s offices and through mobile counters deployed during outreach programmes.
"Eligible companies should update their documents and submit their applications early instead of waiting until the last minute," he said.
Armizan said operations were intensified amid global fuel price pressures and supply concerns linked to geopolitical conflicts, which have increased risks of cross-border leakages.
"We are coordinating enforcement across all agencies to curb leakages, smuggling and misappropriation, especially involving diesel and petrol," he said.
Between March 16 and May 4, 38,071 inspections were carried out nationwide, resulting in 506 cases and 147 arrests.
Diesel-related offences recorded the highest number of cases at 228, followed by petrol (105), liquefied petroleum gas (64), cooking oil (57), sugar (35) and wheat flour (16).
In Sabah, 6,108 inspections led to 132 cases, with diesel topping the list at 48 cases, followed by petrol at 32 cases.
Earlier, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who was also present, was briefed on the current status and findings of Ops Tiris 4.0 (Integrated).
To strengthen enforcement coordination, Armizan said a central task force under the Inter-Agency Enforcement Coordination High-Level Committee was activated in March, followed by the formation of two regional task forces for Sabah-Labuan and Sarawak in April.
"The purpose is to coordinate enforcement across all agencies to curb smuggling and misappropriation involving controlled goods, particularly diesel and petrol," he said.
