KUALA LUMPUR – Seizures of smuggled diesel have dropped 87% in the 20 days after targeted diesel subsidies were implemented in Peninsular Malaysia, said the domestic trade and cost of living minister.
Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said since the retail price of diesel was hiked to RM3.35 per litre in the peninsula from June 10 to the end of the month, 68,457 litres of diesel were seized involving 14 cases.
Before the price hike, from May 20 to June 9, 520,803 litres were seized, involving 65 cases.
“The number of people arrested in relation to diesel smuggling has also dropped from 40 to just one,” Armizan said in a statement.
With the hike in diesel price, however, there is a spike in RON95 petrol-smuggling activity during the same period, he added.
Before June 10, 17,064 litres of RON95 were seized and 37 people were apprehended, whereas 14,011 litres were seized involving 46 violators after the diesel price hike.
“The number of arrests also increased from 10 to 17 people,” the minister said, adding that the ministry was stepping up enforcement against smuggling of subsidised goods, including RON95. – July 4, 2024