KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will enhance its collaboration with the police to crack down on smuggling activities involving subsidised diesel in Sarawak.
Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the cooperation was among the topics discussed with Sarawak's police commissioner, Datuk Mancha Ata, during their meeting in Kuching today.
The collaboration aims to ensure that the Task Force established for Ops Tiris continues to play a crucial role in preventing diesel wastage, particularly in the state.
Throughout the implementation of Op Tiris in 2023, 168 cases were recorded in Sarawak, with a total seizure value of RM6,554,327.
"The targeted subsidy restructuring, especially for diesel, is set to be implemented by the Government this year, as announced by the Prime Minister in Budget 2024 for Peninsular Malaysia, excluding Sabah and Sarawak.
"To ensure that subsidised diesel reaches its intended beneficiaries in Sabah and Sarawak, KPDN, with police and other enforcement agencies, remains committed to combating the misuse of subsidised controlled items through a whole-of-government approach," he said in a statement today.
Armizan also disclosed the distribution of cases involving subsidised diesel among various enforcement agencies, with police handling 17 cases, the Marine police handling 74 cases, and the General Operations Force handling 13 cases.
"This data indicates that nearly 62 per cent of recorded cases were successfully managed by the police.
"In 2024, the scope of Op Tiris will be expanded to encompass not only subsidised diesel but also other controlled items such as RON 95 petrol, subsidised 1-kilogram polybag cooking oil, LPG, and refined white sugar," he said.
He also announced that the Rahmah Sales Program will be expanded to cover every constituency in the country's State Legislative Assembly areas this year.
This move aims to ensure a wider reach and more significant benefit for citizens, particularly those in need.
This initiative is now being implemented in every parliamentary constituency nationwide as part of the government's strategy to address the cost of living.
In addition to increasing the allocation for the program from RM150 million to RM200 million this year, the scheduling of the events will be published earlier and through various platforms, including the KPDN portal.
This will enable the public to check the schedule monthly and participate more effectively.