MIRI: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) here has seized a vehicle and subsidised diesel worth nearly RM50,000 during an enforcement operation targeting the illegal handling of controlled goods.
In a statement on Wednesday (May 20), KPDN said its enforcement officers raided a suspicious private vehicle believed to be involved in diesel misappropriation activities.
During the inspection, officers discovered several plastic drums stored at the rear of the vehicle, believed to have been used for fuel storage and transfer.
Further investigations found 140 litres of diesel in the containers, with the fuel alone estimated to be worth RM301.
Authorities subsequently seized the vehicle and other items, bringing the total value of the confiscated goods to RM49,532.30.
The case is being investigated under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, read together with Section 21 of the same Act.
Under the law, individuals convicted of offences involving controlled goods may face fines of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to RM3 million or jailed for up to five years.
Companies convicted of similar offences may be fined up to RM2 million, with subsequent offences carrying penalties of up to RM5 million.
KPDN said enforcement monitoring at petrol stations would continue to prevent the misuse and illegal sale of subsidised fuel.
The department also reminded the public that transferring fuel into containers exceeding 20 litres without a valid permit is an offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Members of the public with information on such activities are encouraged to channel complaints through KPDN’s hotline, WhatsApp service, e-Aduan portal or the Ez ADU KPDN mobile application.
