
Diesel misappropriation: Five arrested at private jetty along Btg Igan, 45,000 litres seized
SIBU (May 7): Marine Police personnel arrested five individuals and seized 45,000 litres of diesel during an operation at a private jetty along Batang Igan here on April 30.
Sarawak Marine Police commander ACP Ab Rahman Mat Hasan said a team was conducting a patrol under Op Taring Pensura when it came across a group of persons transferring fuel from an oil tanker truck onto a tugboat.
'The tanker driver and tugboat crew were detained after they failed to produce valid documents from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to possess, store or transport diesel, which is a controlled item,' he said in a statement.
He said apart from the fuel, the team also seized the tanker truck and tugboat, with the total value of seizures estimated at RM9.3 million.
The case has been handed over to KPDN for further investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Ab Rahman also called on the public to continue channelling information on smuggling activities to the authorities. Batang Igan diesel kpdn police Sibu smuggling
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
17 hours ago
- New Straits Times
No excuse for unjustified price hikes under SST, Johor traders warned
JOHOR BARU: Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry launched an enforcement operation to curb profiteering following the implementation of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST). The operation codenamed Op Kesan 4.0, is a statewide enforcement blitz, which took effect early this month. State ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said enforcement officers had conducted checks on 48 business premises involving 235 items, which was carried out under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. During a walkabout at a supermarket in Larkin Junction here today, Lilis said the 48 premises were issued price information verification notices to obtain detailed data on cost, pricing, and profit margins. "The ministry also received four complaints related to suspected profiteering under the operation, and investigations are ongoing. "The operations main focus is to ensure that businesses do not exploit SST adjustments as a blanket excuse to increase prices without justification," she said in a statement today. The enforcement operation will also monitor four key elements, which includes items and services affected by SST changes, businesses above the SST registration threshold, price movement timelines aligned with SST enforcement dates, and profit margins to detect unreasonable mark-ups. Lilis warned that offenders found guilty of profiteering can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, or both. Companies face fines of up to RM500,000. She urged businesses to assess the four elements before adjusting prices or charges and reminded the public to report suspicious hikes through official channels, including the Ez ADU app, WhatsApp, and the KPDN e-complaint portal.

Barnama
18 hours ago
- Barnama
Ops Kesan 4.0: Johor KPDN Inspects 48 Premises To Monitor SST Impac
JOHOR BAHRU, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Johor branch has inspected 48 premises involving 235 stock-keeping units (SKUs) as part of Ops Kesan 4.0, which has been in effect since July 1. Its director, Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, said the inspections followed the revised Sales and Service Tax (SST) rates and scope. The focus is on monitoring essential goods and service charges to prevent unjustified price hikes. 'As part of the investigation, 48 Price Information Verification Notices (NPMB) were issued to traders to gather details on pricing, costs, and profit margins,' she told a press conference today. She added that the operation is being conducted under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723) to stop unwarranted price increases and profiteering disguised under SST adjustments. As of July 21, four complaints were received involving two vehicle workshops, a provision shop, and parking pass charges. All are currently under investigation. Lilis Saslinda said enforcement efforts focus on four areas: items and services subject to SST, businesses above the SST threshold, the SST implementation timeline, and profit margins in line with the law. 'All traders and companies are advised to consider these factors before making any price or service charge changes,' she said. Individuals found guilty of profiteering may face fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Companies may be fined up to RM500,000. The public is urged to report unreasonable price increases through the Enforcement Command Centre (03-8882 6245/6088), WhatsApp (012-665 4292), email (e-aduan@ toll-free line (1-800-886-800), or the Ez ADU KPDN mobile app.


The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Syndicates greasing the system
Spot check: (Left) Fuziah inspecting a packet of cooking oil during her visit to a repackaging factory at Kempas, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star PETALING JAYA: A web of syndicates has been exposed for misappropriating subsidised cooking oil, repackaging it and selling it illegally as used or industrial-grade oil, reaping hefty profits by exploiting public subsidies. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Dr Fuziah Salleh said the groups had been buying one-kilogramme packets of subsidised cooking oil at RM2.50 each, then transferring the contents into drums and mixing it with low-grade or used oil. ALSO READ: Subsidised cooking oil misused for profit The adulterated product was then sold for RM4 to RM5 per kg, falsely labelled as used or industrial oil. 'Investigations revealed several organised syndicates behind these schemes. Thousands of kilogrammes of subsidised oil have been seized after being diverted for illegal resale,' she said. The ministry's enforcement teams uncovered the operations through on-ground inspections and online monitoring, including the discovery of suspicious online listings. Syndicates used unlabelled or falsely labelled drums to conceal the oil during transport, with some attempts even made to export the illicit product. Fuziah said three cases were initiated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) last year, all in Selangor, involving seizures worth over RM364,000. Two cases are already in court, while one remains under investigation, she said. Under the Act, companies found guilty of misappropriating controlled goods like subsidised cooking oil face fines of up to RM2mil, while individuals risk up to RM1mil in fines, three years' jail, or both. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties of up to RM5mil for companies and RM3mil or five years' imprisonment for individuals. To crack down on these abuses, the ministry has intensified enforcement through multi-agency collaboration involving the Customs Department, police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The report in 'The Star' on subsidised cooking oil being resold as used cooking oil. For digital spaces, the ministry has partnered with e-commerce platforms and social media companies to identify and remove suspicious listings. The ministry also leverages its Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme monitoring system to trace the subsidised oil supply chain from refineries to retailers, and has implemented zoning distribution systems in local markets to prevent misdirection. Fuziah said the ministry is also conducting audits on manufacturers and packagers to ensure compliance and deter misuse. This coordinated strategy, she added, enables swift responses to public complaints and digital surveillance findings, triggering investigations, digital traceability and joint enforcement raids. Legal action may also be taken under other relevant laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613). 'This is a serious matter involving the abuse of public subsidies. The ministry will not hesitate to act against those who profit at the expense of the rakyat,' Fuziah stressed. The Star previously reported that subsidised cooking oil, sold at RM2.50 per kg, can fetch up to RM3.50 per kg when resold as used cooking oil (UCO), raising concerns over profiteering. Collectors have reported cases of new oil being misrepresented as UCO to exploit the price difference. In response, the MPOB is reviewing standards to better distinguish UCO from palm oil by-products such as sludge palm oil, particularly in the export stream.