The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living is accelerating prosecutions for smuggling and cartel offences, focusing on diesel, petrol, and LPG to secure supply.
JOHOR BAHRU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is fast-tracking legal action against smugglers and cartels.
Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced the expedited process covers all stages from investigation to final case disposal.
Priority will be given to syndicate cases involving diesel, petrol, and liquefied petroleum gas.
“This approach aims to speed up action against those involved in the misappropriation and smuggling of controlled goods, especially fuel,” Armizan said.
The decision was made during a Supreme Committee for Inter-Agency Enforcement Coordination meeting.
He stressed that firm and swift action is critical to ensure supply security for domestic use.
“We want to send a clear signal to those responsible that the government is very serious and will take decisive action to curb these illegal activities,” he added.
Following the decision, KPDN has held discussions with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Chief Registrar’s Office.
These discussions received positive feedback to accelerate prosecution.
Proposed improvements include creating fast-track channels and appointing designated judges.
In a related development, Ops Tiris 4.0 recorded 20,020 inspections nationwide from March 16 to April 22.
The operation led to 362 detected cases and 105 individuals detained.
Diesel accounted for the highest number of cases at 157, followed by petrol, LPG, cooking oil, sugar, and wheat flour.
In Johor specifically, 2,227 inspections resulted in 23 recorded cases.
Thirteen of the Johor cases involved diesel.
