By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, Aug 7: A Sibu-based company was fined RM126,000 by the Sessions Court today after pleading guilty to nine charges linked to a diesel misappropriation syndicate.
The charges stemmed from a joint enforcement operation conducted in Sibu on Aug 25, 2024, involving the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The operation was carried out at a storage facility located at Tanjung Engkilo Jetty, where the company was found to have allegedly committed offences under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
In a statement today, KPDN Sarawak said the company was charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for violating Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974. The offences are punishable under Sections 22(1) and 22(2) of the same Act.
The charges were read before Sessions Court Judge Musyiri Peet, with the prosecution led by KPDN Sarawak Deputy Public Prosecutor Iezzah Iburdanisha Ibrahim.
The company pleaded guilty after the charges were read and accepted the facts of the case. After considering aggravating factors and public interest, the court imposed a fine of RM126,000, which was subsequently paid by the accused.
In a separate case, KPDN Sarawak on Aug 6 prosecuted a local man at the Sarikei Sessions Court for possessing controlled goods without a licence involving 11,010 litres of diesel valued at RM23,671.50.
The accused was charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 before Judge Stella Augustine Druce.
He was convicted and fined RM45,000, with a default sentence of six months’ imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine.
The accused paid the fine and was released, while the seized diesel was forfeited to the government.
KPDN Sarawak said the successful prosecutions reflected its continued commitment to strengthening enforcement under the KITA GEMPUR initiative launched by KPDN to combat manipulation, leakages and abuse involving controlled and subsidised goods.
The ministry also urged members of the public to assist enforcement efforts by reporting suspected cases involving the misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods through WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, email at e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my, the KPDN Call Centre at 1-800-886-800, or the Ez ADU KPDN mobile application. — DayakDaily
