320 Offences Detected Under Ops Tiris 4.0 Crackdown Since March 16 - DPM Fadillah

KOTA KINABALU, April 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 320 legal violations have been recorded under the integrated anti-leakage operation, dubbed Ops Tiris 4.0, since March 16, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.

Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said the cases were uncovered through 18,261 inspections conducted nationwide.

“Of the total, 138 cases involved seizures of controlled diesel, followed by petrol (77), liquefied petroleum gas (41), cooking oil (35), sugar (22) and wheat flour (seven). A total of 85 individuals have been detained to assist investigations.

“This sends a clear message that the government will act firmly against those seeking to profit illegally from public subsidies,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting to establish the Ops Tiris 4.0 special task force at the state level in Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Also present were Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and his deputy Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, as well as Sabah Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Caesar Mandela Malakun.

Fadillah said the results reflected strong inter-agency cooperation, with 185 cases detected by the enforcement division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

Another 135 cases, he said, were contributed by other enforcement agencies, including the General Operations Force (74), Marine Police (36) and Royal Malaysia Police (19), alongside joint efforts involving agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), Immigration Department, Customs Department, Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).

Sabah recorded the highest number of offences at 82 cases, while Labuan reported two.

Enforcement operations in the two areas led to the seizure of 102,144 litres of diesel and 23,907 litres of petrol, as well as 9,605kg of cooking oil, 3,726kg of LPG and 198kg of sugar.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said the ongoing conflict in West Asia since late February has triggered an energy crisis, including supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, which had a major impact on the entire world, including the Asian region, and Malaysia was no exception.

Nevertheless, the Deputy Prime Minister said the government remains committed to ensuring fuel subsidies reach targeted groups, while safeguarding access to essential goods.

“Efforts to curb smuggling and leakage of controlled items, particularly diesel and petrol, will be intensified.

“The government will not compromise. Those who attempt to profit illegally through smuggling and misappropriation will face firm action under the law,” he said.

He also urged the public in Sabah and Labuan to support the KITA GEMPUR initiative by acting as the eyes and ears of the authorities.

“Close cooperation between the federal government, Sabah and Labuan is key to safeguarding the nation’s economic sovereignty for future generations,” he added.

-- BERNAMA