SANDAKAN: The Sabah Region 4 Marine Police Force (PPM) successfully uncovered suspected embezzlement of subsidized diesel fuel during operations at a jetty in this district, yesterday.
The operation at approximately 3.55pm was carried out following information from the public and PPM intelligence after detecting a tanker truck in a suspicious condition.
Sabah PPM Region 4 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amri Abd Rahman said that further inspection found that diesel oil was being transferred from a cargo ship into the tanker.
He said two men, aged 25 and 28, were immediately detained after failing to produce documents relating to the source of diesel supply from a legitimate supplier during an inspection.
“In the operation, PPM managed to seize a steel cargo ship, a Nissan Diesel tanker with a capacity of 15,000 litres and approximately 28,000 litres of diesel oil as well as several equipment believed to be used in the activity.
“The total value of the seizure involving ships, vehicles, diesel oil and other equipment is estimated at more than RM2 million, while the value of the diesel oil seized is estimated at RM130,760,” he said in a media statement yesterday.
According to him, further investigations are being carried out under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961.
Meanwhile, for the period from January to September 2026, Ahmad Amri stressed that the PPM successfully recorded 112 cases under the Supply Control Act 1961 with 103 arrests and a total value of seizures amounting to RM25.8 million.
He said PPM would continue to intensify intelligence, monitoring and enforcement operations to combat the misuse of controlled goods.
“This measure is important to ensure that subsidized supplies are not misused or diverted for the interests of certain parties.
“The public is also urged to continue to provide information to the authorities if they detect any suspicious activity that is believed to be in violation of the law.
“The public’s cooperation is very important in helping the authorities combat embezzlement and smuggling of controlled goods,” he said. – Fardy Bungga
One of the suspects and the tanker truck seized after suspected use in diesel fuel embezzlement activities.
