A worker on one of the tankers shows Kelantan Customs officer Azlan Abdul Hamid (right) where the diesel was kept. — Bernama photo
BACHOK: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry will be working with other law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling of subsidised diesel and petrol to neighbouring countries as it can undermine the economy.
Its minister, Datuk Hasan Malek said stern action would be taken against smugglers in operations that would be conducted with enforcement agencies like the police and Rela.
Speaking to reporters after launching a flour brand at Kampung Gelung Buluh, Beris Kubur Besar here yesterday, he said petrol kiosk operators would also be severely dealt with, including having their licence revoked, if they were found to be collaborating with smugglers.
He said smugglers made huge profits by selling subsidised petrol and diesel in neighbouring countries where their prices were double.
Meanwhile in Pasir Puteh, a cargo vessel and two tankers were detained for attempting to smuggle 70,900 litres of subsidised diesel worth RM147,000 in Tok Bali here on Monday night.
Kelantan Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs chief enforcement officer Abdul Ghani Harun said the diesel was destined for sale to deep sea vessels or commercial ships plying the South China Sea.
“Acting on a tip-off, we caught the tanker drivers in the act of transferring the fuel into the cargo ship,” he told reporters at the Tok Bali D10 Maritime Base here yesterday.
He said the diesel was believed to have been obtained from petrol stations in Lukut, Negeri Sembilan. — Bernama