KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry put a stop to diesel smuggling at a store in the Minintod area, Jalan Panglima Banting, Penampang near here.
The ministry's state director Georgie Abbas said during the raid yesterday, the team seized 7,380 liters of diesel in Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks in a Toyota van (180 litres), skid tank 1 (800 litres), and skid tank 2 (6,400 litres).
There were also rubber hose and pumping machines found.
Those diesels were suspected to be sold to industries and to be smuggled.
"A local male believed to be the storekeeper at the raid location was also arrested and questioned to assist in the investigation," he said in a statement.
Georgie said surveillance had been conducted for a week by Sabah Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry before the raid.
Based on preliminary information, he said the store premises lacked any valid permits or licences to store diesel oil at the location.
"As a follow-up action, this case will be investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possessing controlled goods, namely diesel oil, with the intention to commit offences read with Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 for conducting controlled goods transactions without a license.
"Investigation will also be carried out under Section 20(1) of the same act for storing controlled goods at an unauthorised location."
Under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122), any individual convicted of an offence may be fined not exceeding RM1 million, while for subsequent offenses not exceeding RM3 million or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both.
For companies, if convicted, a fine not exceeding RM2 million may be imposed, while for subsequent offenses not exceeding RM5 million.
He urged the public with information on any activities violating the law can lodge complaints with the ministry through the following channels:
WhatsApp at 019-848 8000; KPDN e-Complaints Portal at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my; Call Centre 1-800-886-800, and the Ez ADU KPDN Smart Phone Application