Ministry tackles 156 cases of misappropriation of controlled, subsidised goods since March 1

IPOH - Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has tackled 156 cases involving the misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods with a seized value amounting to RM 4.41 million following 5,371 Op Tiris inspections across the country from March 1 until yesterday.

Its secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said in a statement today, the latest case involved a raid on an illegal store suspected of carrying out activity of transferring subsidised diesel in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah involving a seizure worth RM3.6 million last Friday.

He said on Saturday, the ministry also confiscated subsidised diesel worth RM51,000 at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex in Bukit Berapit, Pengkalan Hulu.

Azman said the ministry took the issue of controlled and subsidised goods leakage seriously, especially those that occur at the country's entry points as it can have a negative impact and cause huge losses to the country.

"The ministry will also constantly improve enforcement actions at border entry points throughout the country by establishing close cooperation with related enforcement agencies such as the police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Immigration Department.

"One of the types of cooperation is in terms of information sharing as well as expertise in ensuring that issues related to the leakage of controlled and subsidised goods can be tackled together,” he said.

He also reminded traders to be more responsible when dealing with controlled and subsidised goods and warned individuals or companies against breaking the law, especially relating to the sale and distribution of controlled goods to avoid heavy penalties. - BERNAMA