Strong enforcement against smuggling, leakages key to protect subsidies for people

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By Karen Bong

KUCHING, April 7: Enforcement must be firm, coordinated and effective to curb leakages and smuggling of controlled goods, including fuel, to ensure government initiatives to support the people, such as subsidies, are not undermined.

Welcoming the establishment of an integrated Ops Tiris 4.0 special task force in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan to strengthen enforcement against such leakages, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that even the best policies would fall short without strong implementation.

“We are aware that at present we are facing some pressure from rising prices of goods, especially fuel. When fuel prices go up, energy costs also increase, and there is a spin-off effect where other goods that depend on fuel also become more expensive,” he told a press conference after unveiling the Teresa Teng 31st Memorial Tribute Concert at Sarawak Club today.

He emphasised that systematic monitoring through enforcement units is critical, noting that integrated efforts involving multiple agencies are being mobilised to address the issue.

“This is to ensure no one takes advantage of the situation for excessive profits,” he added.

Abdul Karim pointed out that border enforcement remains a key challenge, particularly when price differences make Malaysia an attractive source of subsidised goods.

“At the borders, when fuel and goods are cheaper here, smuggling can occur. If monitoring agencies do not carry out their duties properly, goods may be taken across, causing local shortages and undermining the government’s intention of providing subsidies to help the people,” he said.

He reiterated that while federal policies and guidelines are essential, their effectiveness ultimately depends on enforcement on the ground.

“You can have good policies like subsidies, but if enforcement is weak or those entrusted fail to carry out their responsibilities, it will undermine these efforts,” he stressed.

Despite current cost pressures, Abdul Karim noted that fuel prices in Malaysia remain relatively manageable compared to other countries, describing Malaysians as fortunate in that regard.

While welcoming the federal government’s move to establish the special integrated task force, he said he has yet to receive detailed information on its composition.

“It is sufficient for me that there is follow-up action from the federal government to ensure that subsidies and price controls are properly enforced. This shows we are proactive in managing subsidies and preventing price surges,” he said.

Touching on diesel smuggling, Abdul Karim said such activities are not confined to any single location.

“It happens everywhere, much like corruption. It is not limited to Sibu but also occurs in Kuching and Miri. There is bound to be diesel smuggling,” he said.

He added that price disparities, particularly between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, have fuelled such activities.

“Diesel prices in Sarawak are cheaper, as even seen on social media, while they are higher in Peninsular Malaysia. Some have even suggested buying fuel in Sarawak and transporting it to the peninsula for profit,” he said.

As such, he called for continuous vigilance by enforcement agencies, not only during times of crisis but also under normal conditions.

“These issues existed even before fuel prices increased, it is an open secret. The relevant agencies must carry out their duties at all times, not just when problems become more visible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation and MP for Petra Jaya, said the decision to form the task force was made following a follow-up Inter-Agency Enforcement Coordination High-Level Committee meeting on Monday (April 6), with the task force to be jointly chaired by the Federal Secretary and the State Secretary.

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will serve as the secretariat, involving relevant state-level agencies, and will also expand the implementation of the Subsidised Diesel Control Scheme through the use of fleet cards for the land freight transport sector in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. — DayakDaily

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