MIRI: Authorities are investigating suspected diesel diversion after a viral video prompted a raid on a petrol station in Miri, raising fresh concerns over the misuse of subsidised fuel and possible syndicate involvement.
Enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) moved in on the station following the circulation of footage on Facebook showing a vehicle transferring diesel into containers placed outside the vehicle — an act tightly regulated under Malaysia’s supply control regime.
Officials suspect the quantity involved exceeded permitted limits set by the Supply Controller, a potential breach that points to unauthorised stockpiling or diversion into illicit distribution channels.
The case has since been escalated for detailed investigation, with officers scrutinising closed-circuit television recordings, transaction data and purchase receipts to reconstruct the incident and establish accountability. Investigators are also examining whether station operators complied with mandatory reporting and control procedures governing the sale of subsidised fuel.
As part of the probe, authorities have issued a formal notice under Section 8 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, compelling the submission of documents and operational records related to controlled goods. Non-compliance carries legal consequences, including prosecution.
While no arrests have been confirmed, enforcement sources indicate the investigation is being treated as a priority, particularly amid ongoing concerns over subsidy leakage and the role of intermediaries in diverting controlled fuel supplies.
Authorities have increasingly turned to digital intelligence and public tip-offs to detect irregularities, with the rapid spread of the video accelerating enforcement response in this case.
KPDN Miri has urged members of the public and industry players to report suspicious activities involving controlled goods through official channels, including its WhatsApp hotline, online complaints portal, call centre and mobile application.
Investigators are now working to determine whether the case represents a one-off breach or part of a wider network exploiting subsidised diesel.
