Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sabah has busted a subsidised diesel misappropriation syndicate through an enforcement operation under Ops Tiris 4.0 conducted around here, recently.
Sabah KPDN Director Shahril Nizam Shahidin said the raid was carried out following intelligence gathering and close monitoring, focusing on a petrol station in Penampang after enforcement officers detected suspicious activity involving a four-wheel-drive Isuzu Trooper.
He said inspections found a local man in his 30s believed to be filling diesel beyond the permitted limit into an auxiliary tank of the vehicle.
“The act clearly violates the directive of the Supply Controller, which sets diesel filling limits according to vehicle categories at 50 litres, 100 litres and 150 litres per transaction.
“Further inspection also uncovered an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tank with a capacity of 1,000 litres containing about 249 litres of diesel, believed to be intended for misappropriation,” he said in a statement here Monday.
Shahril added that enforcement officers also seized several other items, including the vehicle, purchase receipts, an electric pump, rubber hoses, and the IBC tank used in the activity.
He said the total value of the seized items is estimated at RM12,897.35, while the suspect and the petrol station operator will be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
“If convicted, individuals may be fined up to RM1 million or jailed for up to three years, or both, while repeat offenders face fines of up to RM3 million or imprisonment of up to five years.
“For companies, the maximum fine is RM2 million and can increase to RM5 million for subsequent offences,” he said.
Shahril said KPDN Sabah would continue to intensify enforcement operations to curb the misappropriation of controlled goods, particularly subsidised diesel provided by the government for eligible groups.
At the same time, he encouraged the public to channel information on such activities, but advised against spreading unverified information that could cause public concern.
“Any complaints or information can be submitted via WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the KPDN e-Aduan portal ([
https://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my](
https://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my)), the call centre at 1-800-886-800, or the Ez ADU KPDN smartphone application,” he said.
