SIBU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has busted a syndicate smuggling subsidised diesel.
MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki said the syndicate was suspected of misappropriating diesel intended for a fishermen's association and bribing enforcement officers to look the other way.
He said a joint operation was conducted on an oil storage depot in Sungai Bidut by the Special Operations Division and the MACC Special Tactical Squad, along with officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Five individuals – three men and two women aged between 30 and 60 – were arrested by MACC at their Sibu branch office.
"Those arrested included four petrol station operators, believed to be the masterminds behind the diesel smuggling activities, as well as a middleman suspected of being involved in transactions with foreign buyers," Azam said.
The raid also led to the seizure of RM3.7 million, two barges, and 30 tanks containing 1.6 million litres of diesel.
"The diesel will be handed over to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to be resold to licensed entities."
Azam said investigations suggested that the syndicate had been operating since 2012.
He added the syndicate had profited up to RM400 million by selling subsidised diesel intended for fishermen.
"The syndicate is believed to have transferred the diesel from tanks meant for fishermen to barges docked at the depot.
"This diesel is then believed to have been transferred to ships owned by foreign buyers at night to avoid detection by the authorities."
Azam said the suspects will be brought to the Sibu magistrate's court for a remand application, and the case will be investigated under Section 16(b)(B) and Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, as well as Section 471 of the Penal Code, and the Control of Supplies Act 1961.