Photo: MACC Two siblings who run a petrol station here have been remanded on suspicion of involvement in a subsidised diesel smuggling syndicate and bribery of enforcement officials.
The male suspect in his 40s was remanded for four days until August 29, while his 30-year-old sister was remanded for one day.
The siblings were reportedly taken into custody along with two other men and a woman at a diesel oil storage depot in Sungai Bidut during "Operation Liter," which was carried out by the MACC Special Operations Division and Special Tactical Squad in coordination with officials from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).
The five suspects are thought to have been a part of a syndicate that sold diesel that was subsidized for fishermen to use, then sold it to foreign buyers at a higher price. It is estimated that this syndicate has been making profits of up to RM400 million since it began operations in 2012.
The sources claimed that in addition to storing diesel without a permit, "they are suspected of paying bribes to some enforcement officers to avoid enforcement action."