By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 22: A fuel cartel in Sarawak and Sabah that has been smuggling subsidised diesel abroad for 10 years has been busted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said that the fuel cartel has cost the government RM247 million.
At a press conference, he said that under ‘Op Karen’, conducted from Sept 2–8, six individuals had been arrested to date, comprising four company directors and two managers, while statements were recorded from 36 witnesses.
Azam added that no VIPs were implicated so far, though two of the suspects hold the title ‘Dato’.
As a result of the operation, investigators froze RM110 million held in 498 bank accounts and confiscated assets worth RM80.8 million, consisting of five vessels valued at RM52 million, subsidised fuel amounting to RM4.5 million, nine luxury watches, and RM156,000 in cash, including foreign currencies.
He revealed that the cartel smuggled subsidised fuel out of the country using tracked tankers, with the operation aided by secret societies and local enablers, including fishermen.
“To take the oil out of Sarawak, particularly from Bintulu, they needed help from certain groups, including fishermen, to get the fuel into tankers.
“This was to avoid detection by the authorities. These are enablers who are also provided with protection,” he said, as quoted by FMT.
Azam added that investigators were also looking into the involvement of civil servants but did not disclose details, citing a separate ongoing investigation. — DayakDaily
