Malaysia authorities seize tugboat and 50,000 litres of subsidised diesel in Port Klang

Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) seized over 50,000 litres of subsidised diesel and a tugboat in a raid in Port Klang on 12 December, according to local media reports on Friday (13 December). 

The raid, conducted by KPDN Selangor enforcement officers with Selangor police, was conducted at a jetty in Port Klang at around 3am. 

Investigations revealed the tugboat’s tank, containing diesel, had a connecting pipe which is believed to be pumping diesel to a storage tank.

During a press conference, KPDN director-general of enforcement Datuk Azman Adam said the diesel was sourced from certain suppliers within Malaysian waters and then pumped into onshore storage tanks, which was then transferred to tanker lorries. 

Five men, a Malaysian and four foreign nationals, aged between 30 and 50 were detained to assist in the investigation.

The total value of the seizure was estimated to be MYR 900,000 including the tugboat, diesel stored in the vessel and storage tank, connecting hoses and other equipment believed to have been used in the operation. 

Azman added further investigations are ongoing under Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122). 

Photo credit: Aaron Lee on Unsplash
Published: 17 December, 2024