THE Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry busted a gang involved in the misappropriation of subsidised diesel with the seizure of 26,459 litres of the fuel worth RM56,886 at a petrol station in Jalan Klang Banting in Kuala Langat, Selangor, on February 10.

Deputy director of enforcement (operations) Shamsul Nizam Khalil said as a result of the raid carried out by 20 ministry officers, they found two lorries with modified tanks filled with subsidised diesel at the petrol station at 2.50pm.

“The raid also led to a store located 5km away from the station, where diesel was being transferred to two other lorries,” he told a press conference in Nilai today.

“We have been conducting intelligence for the past month and this illegal sale is suspected to be done by the same syndicate for sale or delivery to other locations targeted at industrial companies across the country.”

He said apart from the diesel, the officers also confiscated a tanker, four five-tonne lorries, five compressors, a flow meter, documents and receipts showing a total transaction of about RM215,000.

Following that, he said, five local men and a storekeeper, aged between 25 and 50, including an individual claiming to be the owner of the petrol station, were detained to assist in investigations.

Shamsul said the case will be investigated under the Control of Supply Act 1961 to identify the diesel distribution chain from the petrol station to the storage place to the buyer level.

“If convicted, a fine not exceeding RM1 million will be imposed on individuals or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both, while for a company, if convicted, it’s a fine not exceeding RM3 million,” he said.

He said the companies involved will also be temporarily suspended until investigations are completed and also investigated under section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Illegal Activities Act 2001. – Bernama, February 14, 2022.