by Rosli Mansor
The Perak Ministry of Domestic Trade (KPDN), succeeded in cracking down on the smuggling of controlled goods which are subsidised and diesel fuel amounting to RM102,640.00.
The director of the Perak Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Office, Saifullizan Kamarul Zaman said the operation at 1.30pm, succeeded in finding a location of a suspected diesel oil collection centre in Tungzen Industrial Park which was also suspected of operating without a valid licence.
“Further inspection found that there were two tanks filled with what is suspected to be diesel in the premises. A canvas was also checked, the result was that there were two ‘square tanks’ filled with oil suspected to be diesel on top of a motorcycle also covered by the canvas.
“Two men between the ages of 32 and 42, who are suspected to be the driver and owner of the premises have been detained for further investigation.
“A total of 7,600 litres of suspected diesel oil and other equipment have been seized. Also seized were three motor trucks suspected to have modifications on the original tanks to be used to buy diesel fuel at nearby petrol stations, he said in a recent media statement.
Further investigations into the owners of vehicles, premises and related petrol stations will continue under the Supply Control Act 1961.
According to Saifullizan, the operation was the result of monitoring by KPDN enforcement officers carried out for two weeks in relation to the activities of smuggling subsidised diesel fuel and controlled goods at petrol stations around Simpang Pulai and Gopeng.
“Surveillance results on the day of the incident have successfully detected a canvas motorcycle in a suspicious condition that is suspected of filling up fuel at a branded gas station.
“Monitoring had also detected the canvas lorry refuelling at the station for too long, for about 1 hour,” he said.
Individual first offence: a person, other than a corporate body, but including a director or officer of a corporate body, who commits an offence against the Supply Control Act 1961, upon conviction, may be fined not more than RM1,000,000 or not more than three years imprisonment or both.
Second offence: a person, other than a corporate body, but including a director or officer of a corporate body, who commits an offence against the Supply Control Act 1961, upon conviction, may be fined not more than RM3,000.000.00 or not more than five years imprisonment or both.
Organisations / corporations: first offence: any corporate body that commits an offence against the Supply Control Act 1961, upon conviction, may be fined not more than RM2,000.000.00.
Second offence: any corporate body that commits an offence against the Supply Control Act 1961, upon conviction, may be fined not more than RM5,000,000.00.
The public can also provide information about the activity to any nearby KPDN branch to combat malpractice activities and prevent the loss of government subsidies through WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000.
They can also go through the Complaint Portal at e-aduan.kpdn.gov.my
Call the Call Centre at 1-800-886-800
Email e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my
Or use the KPDN Ez ADU smartphone application.
