SIBU: Police here have arrested a 60-year-old local man for suspected involvement in a subsidised diesel fuel smuggling syndicate.
He was apprehended during an inspection on a tugboat at the Sarawak Chemical Industries jetty, Ulu Lanang, here on Friday (April 3).
District Police Chief, ACP Azari Miskon, said the integrated operation from 9.30 am to 7.50 pm with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sibu Branch was carried out on the Sinar Pelutan 1 tugboat which was moored at the jetty.
“As a result, the authorities found 132,000 litres of diesel in nine tanks on the tugboat, estimated to be worth RM283,800.
“The total value of the seizure including the tugboat is estimated at around RM773,600,” he said in a press conference today.
Also present was Sibu KPDN Chief, Roslee Masli.
He said initial investigations found that the tugboat had been docked at the jetty for about a month due to engine damage before it was scheduled to depart for the Solomon Islands.
The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961 and the case has been handed over to the Sibu KPDN Enforcement Chief for further action.
“We believe this material was brought in from outside and stored here before being re-marketed” said Azari.
“Sibu has great potential as a route for smuggling subsidised diesel due to its strategic location on international waterways,” he said.
He called on the public, especially Sibu residents, to channel any information regarding smuggling activities and subsidised diesel leakage to the authorities.
“This subsidised diesel leakage is very noticeable in Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, community cooperation and the role of the media are very important to help the PDRM and KPDN combat this activity,” Azari added.
