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10th May, 2008
TAWAU: More than 5,000 litres of diesel have been seized here and in Sandakan.
Some 3000 litres worth RM64,680 were seized by marine police during a raid on a tugboat (pictured) off the coast of Tanjung Batu here while in Sandakan, the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) seized 2,200 litres of diesel and 450 litres of petrol.
Both seizures were made yesterday morning.
Tawau marine police chief DSP Husaini Zainal Abidin said the diesel was stored illegally in a huge tank on the tugboat.
An Indonesian man, 41, had been arrested to facilitate investigation under the Supply Control Act.
The seized diesel, he added, was handed over to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for further action.
“This is our sixth seizure of diesel this year,” Husaini said, adding that they would beef up enforcement to curb this illegal activity.
Meanwhile, the APMM’s commanding officer in Sandakan Lt. Commander Yousry Yaali said the diesel and petrol were seized from a vessel anchored not far from the jetty in Bandar Ramai Ramai at about 10.30am.
However he said no arrest was made during the ‘Operasi Sejahtera’ and this was the first seizure of subsidised fuel this year.
The seized diesel and petrol, he said, would be handed over to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for further action.
Meanwhile Yousry said they would continue to monitor the movements of vessels in Sandakan in their bid to curb the illegal sale of subsidised fuel.
“We believe the subsidised fuel was meant to be sold to local fishermen,” he said.
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