43,000 litres of subsidised diesel seized, three held in Perak raid

Perak's Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry apprehended three individuals and apprehended 43,000 litres of subsidized diesel during a dawn raid at a fishing dock in Hutan Melintang, close to Teluk Intan, on Monday. Kamalludin Ismail, director of the Perak ministry, disclosed that the early morning operation under Operation Tiris 4.0 also resulted in the seizure of a Class C fishing boat, a tanker truck, two skid tanks, hoses, an oil transfer apparatus, a hydraulic electric pump, and various associated documents. The overall value of the confiscation is estimated to be RM1,525,190.

The investigation, being conducted under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974, involves three local suspects aged between 33 and 42. They are believed to be the tanker truck driver, an attendant, and the owner of the dock. Initial findings suggest that the fishermen's diesel, purchased at RM1.65 per litre, was allegedly resold on the black market at nearly RM4 per litre.

According to Kamalludin, intelligence gathered indicated that the tanker truck went to the dock to acquire diesel stored in two skid tanks. Both tanks were reportedly filled with diesel siphoned and transferred without authorization from a Class C fishing boat owned by the dock owner. Upon examination, it was found that diesel was being transferred without valid authorization under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, alongside suspected diversion of subsidized fishermen's diesel.

Individuals convicted face fines of up to RM1 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, while corporate entities could face fines of up to RM2 million for a first offense and up to RM5 million for subsequent offenses.