The big difference in price between subsidised fuel in Malaysia and the market price of fuel elsewhere, especially in the present Iran war situation, makes smuggling even more lucrative. When the returns are high, the risk of getting caught might seem more ‘worth it’.
Here’s the latest case. Yesterday, the ministry of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDN) foiled an attempt to divert 800 litres of diesel in an operation at a petrol station near the Pasir Gudang Highway in Johor.
Johor KPDN director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said in a statement that its enforcement patrol unit detected a suspicious lorry and acted to detain and inspect the vehicle.
The team then found that the lorry had been modified with two pump units that were connected directly from the vehicle’s original tank to an additional ‘intermediate bulk container’ tank in the storage area, Bernama reported. The extra tank is believed to contain about 800 litres of diesel.
Lilis Saslinda said the lorry driver failed to produce valid documents including a special permit for storing or purchasing diesel, and his statement has been taken for investigation. The total value of the diesel seized is estimated to be RM20,716 and the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
KPDN’s Ops Tiris 3.0, conducted between January 1, 2024 and March 27, 2026 as a crackdown on petrol and diesel smuggling, saw over RM32 million worth of petrol and diesel seized, and 667 individuals arrested. There will be more, so KPDN is installing more CCTVs at high risk locations to stop the theft.
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