KUALA LUMPUR: Two suspected fuel smuggling attempts involving more than 2,000 litres of subsidised petrol and diesel were foiled in separate raids in Sabah and Perlis.
An array of items worth over RM100,000, including vehicles, equipment and controlled goods, were seized in the operations.
In Tawau, a lorry fitted with a modified fuel tank used to store additional diesel was seized by the police’s General Operations Force following a tip-off.
In a statement yesterday, Sabah Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry said about 1,350 litres of diesel was found in the modified tank on Tuesday night.
One suspect was detained, it added.
The ministry warned that those convicted of smuggling controlled goods face fines of up to RM1mil for a first offence and up to RM3mil for subsequent offences, or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
Companies found guilty can be fined up to RM2mil for a first offence and up to RM5mil for subsequent offences.
The ministry’s Sabah chapter said it would continue working with other enforcement agencies to curb the smuggling of controlled goods in the state.
In Kangar, a 32-year-old restaurant worker suspected of smuggling 840 litres of petrol at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority jetty was arrested at 8pm on Tuesday.
The ministry’s Perlis director Rohaida Hassan said the petrol was kept in 28 jerry cans.
She said a motorcycle believed to have been used to transport the petrol to the jetty was also seized.
At a press conference yesterday, she said the suspect, who had been released on bail, did not have any authorisation letter, licence or permit to store controlled goods.
He is being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961, she added in a Bernama report.
Rohaida said the ministry will not compromise with any party involved in the misappropriation of controlled goods, noting that offenders could also face action under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
She said so far this year, the ministry’s Perlis branch has investigated 18 cases with total seizures valued at RM322,587 for offences under the Supply Control Act 1961.
She urged the public to report any activity involving the leakage of government subsidies to the ministry’s nearest office.
