KUANTAN: A proposal has been put forward to prosecute fleet card holders who embezzle subsidised diesel, rather than merely penalising the offenders by issuing them compounds, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said such firm action is necessary, as misappropriation of subsidised diesel affects government efforts to prevent subsidy leakages.
“I have conveyed this to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister (Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali) for cases under his ministry.
“I recommended opening investigation papers (so that) cases do not merely end with a compound, but with a criminal charge,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution told reporters this after officiating the Jelajah Wira Madani programme, organised by the General Operations Force southeast brigade.
Also present were Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and political secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi.
Saifuddin Nasution said fleet card owners found to have abused the facility should face stricter administrative action, including immediate revocation of their rights.
“The rights of these fleet card owners should be cancelled entirely. These cases involve hundreds of thousands of litres, not just 10 or 20 litres,” he said, Bernama reported.
Saifuddin Nasution said that last week, police foiled a fleet card abuse syndicate in Kedah.
He said the suspects were eligible cardholders who could purchase subsidised diesel at RM2.15 per litre.
They were found to have handed over their cards to the syndicate, which then resold the fuel to industries at market prices, he said.
Asked on the decision to station police personnel at petrol stations, particularly those along the country’s borders, Saifuddin Nasution said the enforcement will continue until further notice.
“While we’re struggling to ensure sufficient supply (amid a global energy crisis), acts of smuggling are highly inappropriate.
“The police are taking on this role to help ensure that leakages, which result in losses for the country, do not occur,” he said.
