The Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has uncovered an alleged syndicate misappropriating subsidised diesel meant for fishermen, with total seizures worth RM599,058 following a raid at a fishing jetty in Hutan Melintang on Tuesday.
Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said the raid, conducted under Ops Tiris 4.0 (Integrated) at about 1.50pm, followed two weeks of intelligence gathering into the suspected misuse of the controlled fuel.
During the operation, enforcement officers seized 32,760 litres of diesel, a 52-tonne tanker lorry and several documents believed to be linked to the case.
Kamalludin said checks found that the premises had received 32,760 litres of subsidised fishermen’s diesel using the tanker, which had a capacity of 52 tonnes.
“Serious non-compliance was found in the delivery documentation, with the address stated on the delivery order (DO) not matching the valid address under the Controlled Goods Retail Licence (CSA) for diesel held by the premises,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Checks conducted with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Perak also found that the tanker was not listed as an authorised vehicle to transport subsidised fishermen’s diesel to Hilir Perak.
Further inspection uncovered indications that sales records for diesel supplied to eligible fishing boats may have been manipulated.
“Sales records showed transactions involving nine fishing boats. However, physical inspections and checks found that only four boats had actually made claims and collected fuel at the jetty on the dates stated,” Kamalludin said.
KPDN suspects the diesel may have been transported away by land vehicles such as lorries or resold to ineligible boats at industrial or higher prices, allowing those involved to profit from the fishermen’s diesel subsidy.
Following the raid, two individuals, believed to be the premises owner and supplier, were arrested to assist investigations.
The total seizure was estimated at RM599,058, comprising RM149,058 worth of diesel and a tanker lorry valued at RM450,000.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
Those convicted may face a fine of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Companies may be fined up to RM2 million for a first offence and up to RM5 million for subsequent offences.
