Siblings remanded over diesel smuggling syndicate in Sibu

SIBU (Aug 26): The Magistrate’s Court today issued a remand order against two siblings operating petrol station business here for suspected involvement in a subsidised diesel smuggling syndicate and bribery of enforcement officials.

The Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a statement said that Magistrate Romario Jonoi granted the remand application.

The statement added that the male suspect in his 40s was remanded for four days until Aug 29, while his sister in her 30s was remanded for one day.

According to sources, the siblings were arrested along with two other men and a woman during ‘Operation Liter’ conducted by the MACC Special Operations Division and Special Tactical Squad in collaboration with Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) officials at a diesel oil storage depot in Sungai Bidut.

“The five suspects are believed to have been part of a syndicate that sold subsidised diesel for the use of fishermen, selling it at a higher price to buyers from abroad.

“This syndicate is believed to have been operating since 2012, generating a profit of up to RM400 million.

“They are also suspected of paying bribes to some enforcement officers to avoid enforcement action for storing diesel without a valid permit,” the sources said.

During the operation, MACC seized approximately RM3.7 million in cash, two barges, and 30 oil storage tanks believed to contain approximately 1.6 million litres of diesel.

The other three suspects were released on MACC bail.

The case is being investigated under Section 16(b)(B) and Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, in addition to Section 471 of the Penal Code and the Supply Control Act 1961.