KOTA BARU: A man in his 30s, caught purchasing diesel repeatedly at a petrol station in Rantau Panjang last week, is suspected to be involved in smuggling activities along the border.
Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Azman Ismail said it was believed that the man had been active in such activities for an extended period and is currently under investigation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
"We have issued a notice to the petrol station operator for allowing the suspect to make multiple purchases despite ministry instructions," he said.
It was reported yesterday that Kelantan recorded its first repeated diesel purchases at a petrol station when a man was arrested for buying 60 litres of the fuel in Rantau Panjang last Wednesday.
The incident marks Kelantan's first case of repeated diesel purchases following the government's recent diesel subsidy rationalisation on June 10.
The man was found to have purchased 60 litres of diesel totaling RM132.03 at 12.20pm last Wednesday, followed by an additional RM200 worth of fuel 55 minutes later, as per ministry records.
During the operation led by the Pasir Mas enforcement team with support from the 9th Battalion of the General Operation Force, the suspect was apprehended with a locally registered four-wheel drive vehicle suspected of being used in diesel smuggling.
Authorities seized 60 litres of diesel valued at RM332.03, along with the vehicle worth over RM9,000.
