MIRI: Authorities busted a subsidised diesel diversion syndicate in Tanjung Lobang, seizing 15,000 litres of fuel and arresting four men.
A 16,000-litre tanker lorry and a sports utility vehicle were confiscated in the operation at 12pm yesterday.
The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM131,079.
District police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the raid was carried out by officers and personnel from the Sarawak contingent and Miri district headquarters.
He said four men aged between 42 and 52 were detained, suspected of involvement in subsidised diesel leakage activities.
Checks found that the suspects had rented a bungalow at the location and used a space beside the house as a storage and collection centre for subsidised diesel, he said.
"Preliminary investigations found the syndicate used 'runners' to buy subsidised diesel at petrol stations around Miri city using private vehicle tanks and jerry cans before transferring it into containers at the premises for sale at an agreed price," he said.
The case has been handed over to officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Miri branch for further action and is being investigated under Section 20(1) and Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, read together with Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
Offenders under the provisions face fines of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, with higher penalties for repeat offences.
Mohd Farhan also said subsidised diesel leakage causes significant losses to the government and disrupts supply to local consumers.
He reminded petrol station operators in Miri not to collude with subsidised diesel diversion syndicates and urged the public to channel information to the enforcement authorities. - NST
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