Kedah KPDN seized 10,920 litres of diesel worth RM52,197.60 and detained a man over alleged illegal fuel trading, amid 52 contaminated petrol complaints
JITRA: The Kedah Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) seized 10,920 liters of diesel, valued at RM52,197.60, after intercepting a tanker truck suspected of transporting controlled goods for unlicensed trade on Jalan Sematang Pinang, Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar, yesterday.
Kedah KPDN director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said the seizure took place at 5 pm, following the handover of the case from the Region 1 Marine Police Force, who had intercepted the tanker.
He noted that an inspection revealed the tanker was carrying diesel fuel, accompanied by a suspicious invoice.
“Further investigation revealed that the diesel was obtained from a wholesaler who lacked a valid license to deal in controlled goods,” he said during a press conference here today.
Muhammad Nizam added that KPDN also seized the tanker for further investigation, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM102,197.
He said a local man in his 30s was also detained to assist with the investigation and has been remanded for three days, effective today.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Nizam mentioned that his department had received 52 complaints regarding alleged contaminated petrol in the state between October 6 and yesterday (October 18).
He added that 39 petrol stations have been inspected so far, with 38 samples collected for analysis to determine their composition specifically to identify whether the fuel had been mixed with other substances.
“This issue does not concern Kedah alone; therefore, samples have been sent to the headquarters for coordination, as the petrol supply in this state does not originate solely from Kedah.
“The samples will be sent to the Department of Chemistry, and once the analysis results are available, we will inform the public,” he said.