KUCHING: Two local men were arrested after the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak thwarted separate attempts to misappropriate diesel during ‘Ops Statik’ last Friday (Apr 24).
At around 2 pm, enforcement officers intercepted a suspicious Nissan Frontier pickup truck, believed to have been used to illegally store and transport the controlled goods.
KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin said a search uncovered an estimated 160 litres of suspected diesel worth RM344, along with 16 jerry cans and several documents related to diesel purchases.
The team seized the vehicle, storage containers and purchase receipts, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM20,854.
“Later at 8.03 pm, enforcement officers detected another suspicious vehicle – a Kia Sorento SUV – at the same location, also believed to have been used to store diesel unlawfully.
“The team found an estimated 600 litres of suspected diesel worth RM1,290, along with a 12V electric pump and two small hoses believed to be used for fuel transfer,” he said.
“The vehicle and related equipment were seized, bringing the total value of the second seizure to RM31,540.”
Both operations led to the arrest of two men in their 30s, with investigations underway under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possession or control of scheduled goods under suspicious circumstances.
Matthew said enforcement against diesel misappropriation would continue to be strengthened to curb leakages of subsidised goods.
“Such operations will continue to be carried out from time to time, and we will not compromise with any party involved in misappropriating controlled goods,” he said.
He urged the public to report any related offences via WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, email at e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my, the call centre at 1-800-886-800, or through the Ez ADU KPDN app.
