KPDN records 168 cases of diesel subsidy misappropriation
KUCHING: A total of 168 cases of diesel subsidy misappropriation worth over RM6.5 million were recorded in Sarawak during the implementation of Ops Tiris last year, according to data from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said 62 per cent of the recorded cases were caught by the police.
“The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have played a commendable role in assisting the KPDN in enforcing measures to address diesel misappropriation,” he told reporters after officiating at the Santubong Parliamentary Constituency Rahmah Sales programme at Mydin Bandar Baru Samariang here last weekend.
Earlier, Armizan said he had a meeting with Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata, where the discussion focused on improving the collaboration between KPDN and PDRM in the fight against diesel smuggling and misappropriation.
“We also discussed how to streamline the handover procedures, ensuring that any agency discovering violations related to diesel can promptly submit the case with the appropriate standard operating procedures to provide evidence and details for further action by KPDN,” he said.
Armizan said starting this year, his ministry decided to continue Ops Tiris to not only involve subsidised diesel enforcement, but also to assist various agencies and enforcement operations pertaining to controlled items such as sugar, cooking oil, subsidised RON95 petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
We also discussed how to streamline the handover procedures, ensuring that any agency discovering violations related to diesel can promptly submit the case with the appropriate standard operating procedures to provide evidence and details for further action by KPDN.
Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali
“Through the whole of government approach, we hope to effectively address issues related to diesel misappropriation, smuggling, and misuse of subsidised items,” he added.
Also present were Women, Family, and Community Development Minister and Santubong MP Datuk Seri Nancy
Shukri, and KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin.
Separately, Armizan also had a meeting with the Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi during the former’s visit to Kuching.
The focus of the discussion was about various aspects of gas distribution, particularly natural gas and LPG.
They both also discussed how KPDN could assist in enforcement, since the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak would require some time to streamline its unit towards enforcing the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016, which came into effect on June 1, 2021 through the Notification of Exemption under Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Control of Supplies (Exemption) Order 2021.
The Ordinance reflected the Sarawak government, through the MUT, having taken over the distribution of gas activities from Putrajaya.
KPDN also offered to provide training and advocacy on enforcement to MUT.