TUMPAT: About RM12.46 million worth of subsidised goods that were misappropriated and smuggled were seized in 'Ops Tiris 3.0' from Jan 1 to May 31.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the seizure was made from the 986 cases recorded during the period.
He said it involved the seizure of subsidised diesel worth RM11.24 million, RON95 petrol (RM320,094), liquefied petroleum gas (RM232,209), cooking oil (RM363,858) and sugar (RM29,232).
"The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and other relevant agencies had embarked on the operation aimed at combating the misappropriation of subsidised diesel which has caused losses to the country, preventing it from reaching those who really need it.
"Since March 1 last year, we have carried out Ops Tiris 1.0 and later followed by Ops Tiris 2.0. Our focus was to curb the smuggling of diesel across the Malaysia-Thai border.
"Beginning this year, we continued to launch Ops Tiris 3.0. We wanted to strategise our efforts to curb the misappropriation of controlled goods and a total of 19,337 inspections were carried out between Jan 1 to May 31," he told a press conference here after visiting the Kelantan-Thai border today.
Armizan said the inspections covered various premises throughout the country which includes wholesalers, petrol stations and controlled posts.
During the period, he said a total of 360 arrests were made that comprised both locals and foreigners.
He added that Ops Tiris would continue until the end of the year.
On his visit today, Armizan said he realised that border enforcement especially in Kelantan is facing a lot of challenges.
"During my visit today, l could see the real situation here considering the width and length of the Golok river.
"There are also stores being set up along the riverbanks which are used by smugglers to deliver goods from here into the neighbouring country.
"These stores were set up on private lands which has caused some difficulties for the authorities to take action," he added.