During multiple operations here and in Kuala Pilah, law enforcement officials have confiscated around 166,600 litres of subsidised fuel, valued at an estimated RM250,000.
In five raids earlier this month, according to Muhammad Zahir Mazlan, director of Negri Sembilan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, his police also confiscated six vehicles, containing tanks and other associated equipment.
During the raids, seven suspects were taken into custody.
“We have opened five investigation papers and the cases are being probed under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Rule 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974,” he stated on Tuesday, December 12.
According to him, people found guilty under Section 21 of the Act face fines of up to RM1 million, up to three years in prison, or both. Should it be a business, the penalties may reach RM2 million.
According to Muhammad Zahir, three of the cases were truckers that regularly stopped at gas stations to purchase diesel, a restricted substance.
Giving an instance, he stated that during an operation on December 3, his troops had halted a truck that had filled up with fuel at multiple stations located in Kuala Pilah and Bahau.
“Upon checking, we found 2,500 litres of diesel and a modified pump used to transfer diesel from the lorry’s fuel tank to a larger tank,” he stated.
He claimed that on Friday, December 8, at another site along Jalan Lama Tampin, a third truck driver, employing the same method of operation, was arrested here.
In a separate operation on December 5, Muhammad Zahir said that his police and a team from Bukit Aman had taken 106,500 gallons of fuel from a licenced distributor.
“On the property, four tanks and two tanker vehicles contained diesel.
“Upon checking we found that the licensee did not have the approval to have that amount of subsidised diesel at his premises,” stated the official.
In order to strengthen and enhance oversight of and operations on the distribution of banned substances, he said, his officers would keep an eye on things and work with the appropriate enforcement authorities.
“Law enforcement will not be compromised, particularly when it comes to preventing the leakage and theft of diesel and other restricted items,” he said, stressing that these unlawful actions cost the government money and had to be put an end to.
Muhammad Zahir encouraged anybody with knowledge of such illegal activity to get in touch with the ministry at 03 8882-6245/6088 or 1-800-886-800, or by sending a WhatsApp message to 019 279-4317/019 848-8000.
