KUCHING: Suspected illegal oil-handling activities along Sungai Bako and Sungai Sabang came under the spotlight during ‘Ops Tiris 4.0’ on Tuesday (May 12).
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sarawak director First Admiral Mohd Khairi Abd Aziz said the integrated operation was launched following intelligence gathering and continuous monitoring by the agency and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak over suspicious oil-handling activities in the area.
“During the operation, three foreign tanker vessels and a local tanker were inspected around the waters of Sungai Bako and Sungai Sabang.
“The team also inspected a skid tank discovered on land near a jetty in Sungai Sabang. Checks found that the storage tank was empty.
“However, the skid tank structure is suspected to have been operating without a valid permit, raising suspicions of illegal oil storage and handling activities,” he said.
He added that the discovery would lead to further investigation and monitoring to identify possible legal violations and individuals linked to the activities.
Mohd Khairi stated that MMEA would continue strengthening cooperation with KPDN and other enforcement agencies to combat leakage and misappropriation involving subsidised fuel.
He said ‘Ops Tiris 4.0’ would continue to be intensified as a proactive and ongoing measure to curb the misappropriation of subsidised fuel, while enhancing surveillance and control in the national waters to maintain sovereignty and maritime security.
