01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Petrol, diesel smuggling slows as authorities clamp down at border
TUMPAT: Heightened enforcement by border security agencies along the Malaysia-Thailand border has led to a significant decline in petrol and diesel smuggling activities.
A check at several petrol stations in the district revealed that the once-frequent activity of purchasing subsidised fuel for illegal cross-border trade has slowed noticeably, despite continued demand for fuel across the border.
A source said many fuel smugglers have either temporarily suspended operations or shifted to alternative forms of smuggling following persistent enforcement efforts by agencies, especially the General Operations Force.
"The enforcement presence is much tighter now.
"Many regular smugglers have gone quiet.
"Some are taking a break, others have moved on to smuggling different goods, and a few have quit the trade entirely," the source said.
Checks also showed that only a handful of 4WD vehicles, commonly used by smugglers, were observed refuelling at stations near the border.
"These are believed to be repeat buyers, who now make smaller purchases to avoid detection.
"Those still active in smuggling are buying in small quantities per trip to reduce suspicion.
"But overall, the volume of such activity has dropped," the source added.
It is understood that while demand for Malaysian subsidised fuel remains high in neighbouring Thailand due to price differences, increased border patrols and roadblocks have made smuggling riskier and less lucrative.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Azman Ismail confirmed the trend, attributing the decline to consistent enforcement actions under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Last year alone, he said the ministry recorded 240 arrests, with the seizure of nearly 127,600 litres of petrol worth about RM276,400.
Meanwhile, about 247,600 litres of diesel worth nearly RM600,000 were also seized, and 460 vehicles valued at RM4.25 million were confiscated last year.
As of June this year, he said 102 arrests had been recorded, with the seizure of 25,781 litres of petrol valued at about RM55,365 and 21,353 litres of diesel worth RM61,180.
"A total of 221 vehicles valued at about RM1.18 million were seized.
"All cases are being investigated under the Act.
"Some arrests were made based on referrals from other enforcement agencies, while others were initiated directly by the ministry.
"The decrease in this activity is also due to the ban on illegal crossings enforced by the police effective from Dec 1 last year," said Azman.
