KANGAR: The operator of a petrol station in Kangar who sold subsidised RON95 petrol and diesel to a third party to be marketed to foreign vehicle owners has been caught red-handed by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

The ministry's Perlis chief enforcement officer Mohamad Amir Abdullah said it carried out two raids, at the petrol station and on a store in Kampung Kolam in Padang Besar, on Monday following intelligence-gathering carried out over the past few weeks.

Mohamad Amir said in the raid on the petrol station at around 12.45pm, two individuals were caught filling RON95 petrol and diesel into jerrycans placed in two cars.

"Investigation by the raiding team found that there was a cash transaction made by the two men for the purchase of subsidised fuel.

"A woman believed to be the owner of the petrol station and the two men were then detained," he told a press conference at the ministry's Perlis headquarters here today.

In the second raid, Mohamad Amir said several drums of RON95 petrol were found at a store believed to be used as a resale point.

"The modus operandi of this syndicate was to buy subsidised fuel at petrol stations and store it for redistribution or sale to owners of foreign vehicles near Padang Besar," he said, adding that a local woman believed to be the owner of the premises was also detained for further investigation.

Mohamad Amir said the ministry seized a total of 2,420 litres of RON95 petrol, 500 litres of diesel and two vehicles with a total value of RM19,056 in the raids.

"The ministry regrets the irresponsible action of certain parties taking advantage to misappropriate subsidised fuel.

"A stern warning was issued to other petrol station operators to abide by the rules to avoid action being taken against them," he said.

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