Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sabah branch secured another conviction against an individual found selling diesel without a valid licence under its Integrated Ops Tiris 4.0 operation.
Its Director Shahril Nizam Shahidin said Abdul Salam Ismail, 36, was fined RM10,000 or six months’ jail if he failed to pay the fine after he pleaded guilty before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain on June 25, 2026.
He said the accused who was charged under Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974, read together with Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122), subsequently settled the fine.
“The court also ordered that proceeds from the sale of the controlled item, namely diesel, amounting to RM774.09, be forfeited to the Government of Malaysia, while all seized items were ordered forfeited to the Government, except for the vehicle, which was ordered to be returned to its registered owner.
“For this offence, Section 22(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) provides for a fine of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, for a first offence,” Shahril said.
He said the prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Malai Rosidi Malai Muhamad, while the accused was unrepresented by counsel.
“The offence was uncovered on April 19, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation by the Sabah Region 4 Marine Police Force at a parking area along Jalan Tugu here.
“Upon inspection, the enforcement officers discovered 186 litres of diesel stored in a 1,000-litre intermediate bulk container (IBC) tank placed at the rear of a Toyota Hilux Rocco.
“Further investigations found that Abdul Salam did not possess a valid licence to trade in the scheduled controlled item which led to his arrest,” he said.
In light of this, Shahril said KPDN Sabah would continue to intensify enforcement operations under Integrated Ops Tiris 4.0 through strategic cooperation with relevant enforcement agencies to curb the misappropriation of controlled goods and ensure government subsidies reach those genuinely entitled to receive them.
He said that KPDN would not compromise with any individual or party attempting to abuse controlled goods for personal gain, as such activities undermine public interest and result in losses to national revenue.
“It should also be noted that, apart from fines and imprisonment, the courts may order the forfeiture of seized items, including vehicles, as a firm measure to curb such illegal activities.
“We, therefore, urge the public to continue serving as the ministry’s eyes and ears by channelling information on the misappropriation of controlled goods through KPDN’s official reporting channels at KPDN Complaint WhatsApp: 019-848 8000 KPDN, KPDN e-Aduan Portal: http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my, Call Centre: 1-800-886-800, and Ez ADU KPDN mobile application,” he said.
