The suspicious actions of a lorry driver who filled up fuel repeatedly at several petrol stations, finally revealed the activities of diesel misappropriation at the Batu 2 1/2 petrol station, Jalan Simpang yesterday.
Director of the Perak Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP), Saifullizan Kamarul Zaman said, the operation that started at 4.30pm was the result of daily monitoring carried out by law enforcement officers at petrol stations around Taiping.
He said the 28-year-old truck driver did not have any valid documents or permits to buy diesel.
“The action began when through the observations of Taiping KPDNHEP enforcement officers, they found a lorry filling up repeatedly at several gas stations around the monitored area.
“Suspecting the occurrence of irregularities, an inspection was carried out on the lorry.
“There was a canvas-covered lorry filling up with diesel fuel at the petrol station and further inspection found that there were six plastic tanks suspected of containing diesel fuel stored in the lorry.
“Further inspection also found that the original oil tank channel of the lorry involved had been modified and connected to the six plastic tanks in question,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Therefore, he said, the Taiping KPDNHEP team of officers had taken action by confiscating almost 2,000 liters of diesel oil from the lorry.
All the looted items were estimated at a value of RM77,300 and the lorry driver was detained for questioning.
“The driver of this vehicle does not have any written permission to buy controlled items like petrol or diesel in large quantities from the Malaysian Supply Controller.
“It is suspected that the lorry filled diesel at several petrol stations around Taiping and collected it in one area in Penang before selling it to certain parties,” he added.
Saifullizan said the case was investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961 and the Supply Control Regulations 1974.
He also said that the ministry prohibits the purchase of diesel and petrol using barrels, plastic bottles or any container exceeding 20 liters without the permission of the Supply Officer.
The public and petrol station operators are reminded that any party who wants to buy petrol and diesel for purposes other than refueling a vehicle need to obtain a special permit issued by KPDNHEP.
by Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
