IPOH: Over 4,400 litres of subsidised diesel were seized from a premises in Simpang Empat, Hutan Melintang and two men arrested during Ops Tiris 3.0 conducted by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
The ministry's Perak director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said the suspects, aged 50 and 61, were arrested at 12.30pm on Wednesday (March 27) on suspicion of misappropriating subsidised diesel.
He said the items seized included 4,415 litres of diesel, eight skid tanks, pumps, three trailers and two five-tonne lorries worth about RM1mil in total.
"We arrested a driver and the manager of the premises. They are believed to be part of a syndicate that buys subsidised diesel from petrol stations in Hutan Melintang and sells it to industries at a profit," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 28).
"Their modus operandi involves deploying several trailers, believed to have been modified, and buying the diesel repeatedly from petrol stations.
"The diesel would then be transferred to a skid tank at premises believed to be unlicensed.
"The subsidised diesel would be bought at RM2.15 per litre and resold for between RM3 and RM4 per litre, according to market price," he added.
Mohd Kamalludin said the case will be investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
"Individuals who are convicted can be fined up to RM1mil or jailed up to three years, or both.
"As for the company involved, it is liable to a fine of RM2mil," he said.
"The ministry is issuing a stern warning to any parties involved with misappropriation of controlled goods like subsidised diesel.
"We urge the people to continue being the eyes and ears of the authorities by channelling information related to misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods," he added.
Anyone with such information can send it to the ministry through WhatsApp at 019-279 4317; its portal at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my; call centre at 1-800-866-800; by email to e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my; or its mobile app "Ez Adu KPDN".
