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SANDAKAN: Six illegal immigrants were jailed 12 months each for possessing 41,000 litres of petrol without a license.

The six men, aged between 25 and 45, pleaded guilty before  Sessions Court Judge, Zaini Fishir @ Fisal, to the charge under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961, read together with Regulation 3(1) of the Supply Control Regulations 1974.

All the accused, who were crew members of MT Rahmah vessel, were found having the controled goods  at 9pm on Aug 21, 2023, at the waters near Kg Cenderamata, here.

The raid on MT Rahmah was conducted by the General Operations Force (PGA), and an inspection revealed that the vessel was carrying 41,000 litres of petrol without any valid documentation.

The case was subsequently handed over to the Sandakan branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for further investigation and action.

The court ordered MT Rahmah and related equipment be forfeited, and the proceeds from the sale of the seized petrol also be forfeited to the Malaysian government.

KPDN Sabah Deputy Public Prosecutor Md. Syafique Md. Hilmie appeared for the prosecution while all the accused were represented by counsel Arthur Borine.

Meanwhile, the Chief Enforcement Officer of the Sandakan KPDN Branch, Azdy Zukkry John, stated that his department will continue to carry out inspections and enforcement under “Operasi Tiris” to combat any activities involving the misappropriation and leakage of petrol and diesel in the district.