SHAH ALAM, April 13 — The government is considering introducing mandatory audits for fuel stations located within a 50km radius of the country’s borders to curb cross-border fuel smuggling, said Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh.
She added that the proposal is being reviewed as the ministry (KPDN) seeks to tighten control in high-risk border areas, The Star reported.
“While fuel purchase limits in border areas are already in place, further tightening measures are being considered.
“These include stricter fleet card compliance systems and rigorous audits of all fuel stations within a 50km radius of the border,” she was quoted as saying by the local English daily.
The proposed measure falls under Ops Tiris 4.0, which was launched on March 16 to tackle fuel subsidy leakages and smuggling activities, with authorities also looking into deploying police personnel at border-area fuel stations to enhance monitoring and enforcement.
Fuziah said KPDN will take firm action against operators who are found cooperating with smuggling syndicates.
“Such actions not only violate the law but constitute a betrayal of Malaysians by misappropriating fuel subsidies worth billions of ringgit intended for eligible citizens.”
She added that enforcement efforts are focusing on dismantling smuggling rings by targeting syndicate leaders under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).
“Our focus extends beyond fuel seizures. Efforts are now directed at dismantling syndicate networks at their core, including by freezing assets and tracking financial flows under AMLA.
“This prevents syndicates from re-emerging under different identities.”
Fuziah also urged Malaysian communities in border areas to report suspicious activities to authorities, saying that the public is an important line of defence against fuel smuggling.
