KOTA KINABALU: Enforcement officers found approximately 1,300 litres of subsidised petrol that was being stored illegally in a storehouse located in the east coast district of Sandakan. The raid was carried out on Wednesday (Oct 4) by personnel from the Sandakan office of the Domestic Trade and Cost Of Living Ministry, who also arrested a local man suspected of involvement.
Azdy Zukkry John, the chief of the Sandakan branch, said they received a tip-off from the public, which led them to the storehouse on Jalan Segaliud at 5.30pm. Along with the petrol, they seized a three-tonne lorry and various equipment valued at over RM50,000. “The local suspect, a man in his 60s, has been detained for further investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 5).
John mentioned that the storehouse did not possess the necessary license to store controlled goods. The case is currently being investigated under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which pertains to the unauthorized storage of goods. According to the Act, individuals found guilty of this offense may face a maximum fine of RM1 million, subsequent fines of up to RM3 million for any subsequent offense, three years imprisonment, or a combination of the three.
In the case of companies, John stated that those found in violation of the law may face a maximum fine of RM2 million, with subsequent offenses potentially incurring fines of up to RM5 million.
John warned fuel station operators that the ministry would not hesitate to take strict action against those who sell subsidised petrol or diesel to ineligible customers. He revealed that the Sandakan office has handled a total of 148 cases this year involving confiscated items worth over RM2.6 million. Among these cases, 80 were related to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering 2011 Act, 51 were under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and 17 fell under the Weight and Measures Act 2017.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
