PUTRAJAYA: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has arrested 63 individuals and seized diesel worth more than RM1.2 million in the first round of an operation, which was carried out nationwide from March 1 until yesterday.

The ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, said a total of 2,164 checks were carried out at petrol stations, wholesalers, manufacturers, quarries, check points and other premises during the period.

He said the ministry also managed to build as many as 55 cases involving petrol stations, houses, wholesalers, quarries, workshops and others.

"A total of 54 locals and nine foreigners were arrested since Ops Tiris was launched,” he said in a statement today.

Ops Tiris is being held for six months from March 1 until Aug 31 to ensure that there are no leakages in the implementation of subsidised diesel.

Meanwhile, Azman said the ministry would continue to bolster enforcement on activities involving the embezzlement of subsidised diesel through checks conducted at hotels, tea plantations and petrol stations around Cameron Highlands through Ops Tiris.

Enforcement also included checks and inspections at petrol stations, licensed diesel wholesalers, licensed permit holders and fishermen associations and notices will be issued under Section 8 of the Supply Control Act 1961 with the purpose of obtaining information on the source of diesel oil supply, purchase price and source of oil sales.

"We did this to ascertain if there are leakages in the sale of subsidised diesel oil to unqualified parties or sectors,” he said.

He stressed that there will be no compromise with any party and stern action will be taken at various levels to ensure that the issue of embezzlement and leakages are totally curbed.

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