KULAI: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has foiled an attempt to divert about 2,400 litres of diesel at a petrol station in Jalan Seelong near Senai here.
Its Johor director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said enforcement officers conducted the operation at about 2pm on Monday (Sept 14) following intelligence received on suspected violations involving the purchase of diesel.
She said checks under Ops Tiris 4.0 found a suspicious lorry equipped with a storage tank and related equipment filling diesel directly into the tank.
"The enforcement team detained and seized the lorry, four intermediate bulk container (IBC) tanks, a flow meter, four pumps with hoses and two mobile phones," she said here on Tuesday (Sept 15).
She added that about 2,400 litres of liquid suspected to be diesel were also seized, as well as 15 fleet cards and five copies of receipts or invoices related to diesel purchases.
It is believed the cards, receipts and invoices are linked to the modus operandi.
"Two local men, both in their 30s, were in the lorry and were also detained to assist investigations," Lilis Saslinda added.
Checks and document inspections also led to the petrol station operator being suspected of an offence under Subregulation 12A of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 for failing to comply with the supply controller’s directive.
"The total value of the items seized is estimated at RM60,660," she said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
She said an individual convicted under the provision could face a fine of up to RM1mil, a jail term of up to three years, or both.
For a second or subsequent offence, the offender could face a fine of up to RM3mil, a jail term of up to five years, or both.
Companies convicted of the offence could be fined up to RM2mil, while the maximum fine for a second or subsequent offence is RM5mil.
"The ministry will continue to strengthen enforcement efforts to ensure that controlled goods, particularly diesel, are not diverted or misused in ways that could affect the interests of consumers and the country," Lilis Saslinda said.
She also urged anyone with information on the abuse or diversion of controlled goods to lodge complaints through the ministry's official channels.
These include WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the e-Aduan KPDN portal at e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my, the ministry’s call centre at 1-800-886-800 and the Ez ADU KPDN smartphone application.
