Pahang’s Ops Tiris cracks down on fuel smuggling, seizing 144,212 litres of diesel and petrol worth over RM745,000 in five months.
KUANTAN: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in Pahang seized 144,212 litres of diesel and petrol worth more than RM745,000 under Ops Tiris during the first five months of this year.
Its director, Jezlily Jamaluddin, said 826 inspections were carried out between January and May, with the largest seizure involving 59,000 litres of diesel worth more than RM355,000 here last month.
“The implementation of Ops Tiris has had a positive impact on the management and distribution of subsidised diesel in the state, while curbing leakages and smuggling activities that could affect domestic fuel supplies,” he told Bernama.
Jezlily said Kuantan recorded one of the highest numbers of cases involving the misappropriation of controlled goods, likely due to its strategic location as home to a major port and large industrial and manufacturing areas.
“The high concentration of business premises, petrol stations, storage facilities and petroleum distribution centres compared with other districts is also a contributing factor,” he said.
He said the most common modus operandi detected in the state involved the use of modified vehicles to transport or store fuel in quantities exceeding their original capacity.
Other tactics included making repeated purchases at multiple petrol stations to avoid detection, using forged documents to obtain subsidised fuel illegally, and using premises or remote locations as storage sites to conceal their activities.
“There have also been cases involving the misuse of targeted diesel subsidies allocated to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and transportation, where the fuel was diverted for other purposes,” he said.
Despite challenges in carrying out Ops Tiris, including limited intelligence as syndicates often operate discreetly and move locations frequently, Jezlily said KPDN works closely with other enforcement agencies.
“The cooperation includes intelligence-sharing, joint operations, monitoring of distribution chains, inspections of premises and storage facilities, as well as surveillance of vehicles along high-risk routes, including border areas and ports,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said inspections and monitoring conducted by the ministry showed that subsidised diesel supplies in Pahang remained sufficient and stable to meet consumer demand.
Although occasional supply disruptions had been reported at certain petrol stations, he said the interruptions were temporary and typically resolved within 24 hours.
Jezlily said KPDN would continue strengthening monitoring and enforcement efforts through Ops Tiris to ensure subsidised diesel reaches its intended beneficiaries and supports fuel supply stability in the state.
