In a recent legal case, a petrol station proprietor was fined RM100,000 by the Sessions Court for allowing the sale of diesel in barrels, a violation of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
According to The Star, Abdul Wahab Jaafar, the joint owner of KA Surijaya Enterprise gas station, faced charges for failing to comply with the Control of Supplies Act by selling diesel in barrels to Yau Poh Trading Sdn Bhd. The diesel was loaded onto two lorries, each carrying 1,140 litres and 1,080 litres, respectively.
He was charged under Section 22(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which stipulates a maximum fine of RM1 million or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
The deputy public prosecutor from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Suhana Mohd, urged for a significant penalty as a deterrent, considering the subsidy leakage factor. This illegal activity led to substantial losses for the government, as aid meant for the people was misappropriated by irresponsible parties.
Suhana emphasized the severity of the offense, stating that the government invests billions of ringgit annually in fuel subsidies. Abdul Wahab Jaafar’s actions had a detrimental impact on the country’s economic landscape and disrupted the supply of diesel fuel, justifying a severe punishment as a deterrence against such activities.
