Kuala lumpur: A total of 320 legal violations have been recorded under the integrated anti-leakage operation, dubbed Ops Tiris 4.0, since March 16, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said. Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, noted that these cases were uncovered through 18,261 inspections conducted nationwide.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, of the total violations, 138 cases involved seizures of controlled diesel, followed by petrol (77), liquefied petroleum gas (41), cooking oil (35), sugar (22), and wheat flour (seven). A total of 85 individuals have been detained to assist investigations. "This sends a clear message that the government will act firmly against those seeking to profit illegally from public subsidies," Fadillah stated after chairing a meeting to establish the Ops Tiris 4.0 special task force at the state level in Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and his deputy Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh, as well as Sabah Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Caesar Mandela Malakun. Fadillah emphasized the strong inter-agency cooperation, with 185 cases detected by the enforcement division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN). Another 135 cases were contributed by other enforcement agencies, including the General Operations Force (74), Marine Police (36), and Royal Malaysia Police (19), along with joint efforts from agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), Immigration Department, Customs Department, Road Transport Department (JPJ), and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).

Sabah recorded the highest number of offences at 82 cases, while Labuan reported two offences. Enforcement operations in these areas led to the seizure of 102,144 litres of diesel, 23,907 litres of petrol, 9,605kg of cooking oil, 3,726kg of LPG, and 198kg of sugar.

Meanwhile, Fadillah addressed the ongoing conflict in West Asia since late February, which has triggered an energy crisis and supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, impacting the global and Asian regions, including Malaysia. Despite these challenges, the Deputy Prime Minister assured that the government remains committed to ensuring fuel subsidies reach targeted groups while safeguarding access to essential goods. He reiterated, "Efforts to curb smuggling and leakage of controlled items, particularly diesel and petrol, will be intensified. The government will not compromise. Those who attempt to profit illegally through smuggling and misappropriation will face firm action under the law."

Fadillah also called on the public in Sabah and Labuan to support the KITA GEMPUR initiative by acting as the eyes and ears of the authorities. "Close cooperation between the federal government, Sabah, and Labuan is key to safeguarding the nation's economic sovereignty for future generations," he added.