The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and 16 other enforcement agencies are collaborating to combat the misappropriation of subsidised fuel and controlled goods, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. This collaboration was initiated through a workshop organised by the ministry to streamline efforts in curbing and eradicating leakage of controlled items. Among the agencies involved were the police, Customs Department, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Immigration Department, Eastern Sabah Security Command, Sabah Port Authority, and Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Minister Datuk Mohd Armizan Ali highlighted that the workshop covered various aspects such as logistical needs, security support, information sharing, and handover of cases from the agencies to the ministry. He emphasized the importance of improving enforcement mechanisms, especially as Sabah and Sarawak are not included in the re-targeting of the diesel subsidy programme set to be implemented in the peninsula in the second quarter of this year.
Measures, such as continuing Ops Tiris, are being taken to prevent illicit trade of fuel and essential goods. Ops Tiris focuses on fighting the misappropriation of subsidised diesel and auditing custodians of controlled items. Additionally, audits of wholesalers, permit holders of controlled goods, and exporter companies are being conducted to track sales and item distribution.
Minister Armizan conveyed the ministry’s intention to ensure that public funds and subsidies are channeled to those who truly need them. He urged smugglers and their collaborators to find honest means of living, emphasizing that their activities only harm the country’s economy.
He reported that Ops Tiris 1.0 and 2.0 resulted in 15,927 nationwide checks at fuel stations, wholesalers, and factories, leading to 877 cases and 6,441,118 litres of seized diesel worth RM14.2mil. Other essential items worth RM42.1mil were also seized, and 668 individuals, including citizens and foreigners, were arrested.
In Sabah, 1,026 checks were conducted, leading to the seizure of RM1.05mil worth of diesel. Ops Tiris 3.0 has handled 330 cases so far, resulting in the seizure of diesel, RON95 petrol, liquefied petroleum gas, cooking oil, and sugar, with 65 individuals detained for further investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Minister Armizan urged the public to assist in the fight against misappropriation and smuggling by providing information to the authorities.
