THE Petaling Jaya Sessions Court today fined a petrol station proprietor RM100,000 for allowing the sale of diesel in barrels, which is forbidden under the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

Judge Azrul Darus meted out the fine against Abdul Wahab Jaafar, 72, after he changed his plea to guilty when the case came up for mention today.

Wahab, as the joint owner of the gas station K.A Surijaya Enterprise, was charged with failing to comply with the Control of Supplies Act by selling diesel in barrels to Yau Poh Trading Sdn Bhd and laden on two lorries, each carrying 1,140 litres and 1,080 litres, respectively.

He was charged under section 22(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which provides a maximum fine of RM1 million, three years’ jail or both, while for the second or subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding RM3 million or a maximum five years’ jail or both.

Deputy public prosecutor from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Suhana Mohd requested a deterrent sentence, taking into account the subsidy leakage factor, which resulted in the government suffering huge losses because irresponsible parties misappropriated aid meant for the people.

“The government spends billions of ringgit every year on fuel subsidies and his actions caused damage to the country’s economic landscape. It has also led to insecurity in the supply of diesel fuel in the country.

“The offence committed is serious and I ask for a severe punishment in the form of deterrence against the accused,” he said.

Lawyer Tharamjit Singh appeared for Wahab. – Bernama, October 2, 2023.