KOTA KINABALU: Investigations are being conducted on petrol stations to find out whether they are involved in any illegal sales of subsidised diesel in Keningau district.

       This comes following a raid on a store on Monday (June 13), whereby some 8,300 litres of diesel were found stored in a tanker and another vehicle which was believed used as the prime mover of the oil for sale.

       Enforcement officials from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in Sabah conducted the raid at around 9.30pm.

       Its chief in Sabah, Georgie Abas, said the total value of diesel seized was about RM98,345.

       “A man believed to be involved in the incident was also nabbed to facilitate probes into this case,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday (June 14).

       Speaking on the raid, he said they took action after about a week of surveillance.

       Georgie said the suspects would fill up the tanks of a prime mover truck at petrol stations before heading back to their store to transfer the oil into another tank.

       He said the premises raided did not have any licence to store, keep or distribute the subsidised diesel.

       “That is why we will also investigate whether any petrol stations are involved in facilitating this crime,” he said.

       He said the case will be probed under various Acts including the Supply Control Act 1961 for possession of controlled goods for the purpose of committing a crime.

       Under this Act (Act 122), any individual found guilty of the charges could be fined up to RM1mil and up to RM3mil for subsequent offences, or jailed up to three years, or both, said Georgie.

       For companies convicted of the offence under the Act, they face up to RM2mil in fines for the first offence and up to RM5mil subsequently, he said.

       "The Ministry will also consider suspending the trading licence of any suspected or involved oil and gas stations, pending completion of a case,” he said.

       Georgie said the Ministry will continue to conduct raids and investigations to prevent the sales of subsidised fuel by unlicensed traders or individuals.

       Anyone with information of suspected crimes under the KPDNHEP by laws and Act can inform the ministry via WhatsApp - 019-279 4317 or 019-848 8000, through a complaints portal: e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, Call Centre at 1-800-886-800 or email to e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my.

       They can also contact the Enforcement Command Centre at 03-8882 6088/6245 among other means.