OP Tiris, a Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement operation to curb subsidised diesel misappropriation and smuggling, has been extended until December 31.

Acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said under phase one of the operation, which began on March 1, 4.3 million litres of diesel worth RM9.2 million was seized up to yesterday.

He said phase two of the operation will focus on comprehensive investigations into the entire supply chain, from the source of purchase to illegal buyers.

“The aim is to get a detailed picture of the entire black market chain of diesel, which is believed to involve syndicates,” he told the media today.

He said a Business Intelligence Unit under the ministry’s enforcement division will be set up to cover issues in the subsidy control goods sector; trade, distribution and business; service industry and online business; and cost of living.

“The enforcement team will gather information on phasing out other subsidies such as cooking oil, rice, sugar and liquefied petroleum gas,” Amrizan said, adding that from March 1 to August 31, 10,351 inspections were conducted, with 459 cases recorded and investigated under the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

“During this period, 379 individuals were arrested, comprising 305 Malaysians, 71 foreigners and three permanent residents,” he said.

Of the 459 cases, 225 were taken over by strategic partners such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Road Transport Department, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and police, including the General Operations Force and marine police, he said.

The ministry seized assets and equipment such as trucks, skid tanks and flow metre nozzles worth RM25.2 million in that period.

The ministry’s deputy director of enforcement (operations) Shamsul Nizam Khalil said: “The industry has to buy diesel at a higher cost than the subsidised price, which changes every week. For instance, the price of diesel in the market is RM3.60, while the price of subsidised diesel at petrol stations is RM2.15.

“The price difference may seem small, but it brings a lot of profit to illegal buyers,” he said. – Bernama, August 24, 2023.