Monday, March 10, 2014

ONCE TASK FORCE LAUNCHED... NO MORE WARNING FOR DIESEL SMUGGLING




No Choice... No Compromise... No MoreWarning... Your licence will be revoked!

It is a serious warning and a note from The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad that it is declaring war against diesel smuggling syndicates as reported here;


PUTRAJAYA, March 7 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry will revoke and suspend the operating licence of kiosks involved in the smuggling of subsidised diesel and petrol.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad said the government lost about RM1.2 billion annually due to smuggling of diesel and petrol abroad or sale to the industrial sector.

"We will not compromise and will suspend or revoke their (kiosk) operating licences. This is the final warning. The government gives subsidised diesel and petrol to reduce the people's burden and not to be smuggled abroad or sold to industries," he told a press conference, here today.

A large scale integrated operation will be launched later this month involving the Attorney General's Chambers, police, army, immigration, customs, Rela and anti-smuggling units.

Alias said the ministry would recommend to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry to act against fishermen and the Fishermen's Association (Nekmat) if they were involved in smuggling diesel.

Under the Supply Control Act 1961, offenders can be fined RM100,000 for individuals and RM250,000 for companies or jailed three years, in addition to the suspension of licence.

Up to March 5, eight smuggling cases were reported involving the seizure of diesel worth RM2.5 million.

The accounts of more than 173 syndicates amounting to RM10 million had been frozen under the Anti Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and the Income Tax Act 1967.

"Last year, the ministry foiled fuel smuggling with the confiscation of diesel worth RM7.47 million," said Alias.

On another note, he urged the public to make detailed complaints on the locations and premises which raised the price of water containers and drinking water to enable spot checks.

A total of 5,265 premises including retail shops, supermarkets, mini markets, hypermarkets and wholesalers nationwide were inspected but there was no sharp price increase as reported.

Finally! Ever since warning after warning and numerous operations, its time for Government to act and put a full stop!

Latest operation has busted the biggest diesel smuggling syndicate in Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Selangor. This is not new, infact almost every month it is reported that these syndicates were busted and to the extend their bank accounts were revealed.

Surprisingly, they are still large in numbers and the monies revealed are always in millions.

Can we imagine, these culprits are enjoying what was supposed to be given to the poor by the government, and at the same time it is at the nation's thrift and some are facing water rationing till end of March?

Please take note on Dato Alias call to come forward should you encountered any suspicious activities especially to traders who raised prices unreasonably. Lodge a complaint appropriately to the ministry for them to act further.

Oil smuggling not only a big threat to the country's economy and finally impacts the nation.




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