KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak managed to seize 5,800 litres of subsidised diesel that were illegally stored in a premises in the city on Friday (Mar 17).
Its director Matthew Dominic Barin, said in a statement that the operation, codenamed ‘Ops Tiris’ was carried out by the ministry’s enforcement members together with the General Operations Force (GOF).
During the operation, the team seized the subsidised diesel, worth RM48,930, a lorry, several empty tanks, and other equipment.
“The case is being investigated under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for storing controlled goods in a place that is not licensed by the supply controller.
“If convicted, the offender could be fined up to RM1 million or be jailed for a term of up to three years, or both, while the penalty for a corporation would be a fine up to RM2 million,” he said.
Matthew pointed out that the recent case was one of 10 carried out across the state from Mar 1 to 17, involving the seizure of 30,044 litres of subsidised diesel that are valued at RM323,972.
He stated that Ops Tiris is implemented to ensure that there is no leakage of subsidised diesel and that it is enjoyed by eligible users.
In a similar update, KPDN Sarawak reported that it had conducted inspections on 15 premises licensed to store diesel in the state to ensure that the holders obtained their supplies through legitimate means and were selling them to genuine buyers.
Aside from that, a total of 177 inspections were also conducted at petrol stations and diesel suppliers throughout Sarawak, which was to ensure that all of the business owners were not violating the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Ops Tiris also involved other enforcement agencies such as the police, the Customs Department, the Marine Police Force, the Malaysian Armed Forces, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Matthew urged those with information on any suspicious or illegal activities regarding subsidised goods to lodge a complaint with the ministry.
KPDN can be contacted via WhatsApp at 019-2794317 or 019-848 8000, e-Aduan KPDN via http://e.aduan.kpdn.gov.my, its call centre at 1-800-886-800, or via e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my.
