KUALA LUMPUR – Almost RM13 million worth of smuggled controlled goods have been seized as of June 14 this year.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a total of RM12.96 million worth of controlled items were seized, with diesel being the most commonly smuggled and diverted.
The Ops Tiris operation was expanded to tackle the smuggling and misuse of controlled items such as refined white sugar (both coarse and fine), 1 kg polybagged cooking oil, RON95 petrol, and liquefied petroleum gas, he said.
Ops Tiris 3.0, Anwar said, was a result of the positive outcomes and developments from previous operations, which began on March 1, last year.
This, he said, is part of the government’s effort to return the benefits of targeted subsidies to the rakyat.
“The subsidies for the rakyat’s food needs of 10 sen per egg involve RM100 million of government expenditure, while in 2023, the subsidy allocation for eggs was about RM927 million.
“Meanwhile, the retail prices for eggs in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan will also be adjusted according to the gazetted division and zone.
“The government will continue to give emphasis to any problems or issues related to the rakyat’s costs of living in a more proactive and effective manner to tackle these issues while making the best effort to sustain the rakyat’s well-being,” he said in a statement today.
Anwar said this move aligns with current developments, which indicate a drop in the input costs of egg production, especially the essential ingredients for chicken feed.
“I want to emphasise that the government will continue to address issues related to the cost of living more proactively and effectively, while striving to minimise any adverse impact on the daily lives of the people,” he said.
He said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry launched Ops Tiris 3.0 to combat the misappropriation of subsidised diesel benefiting parties not eligible for the subsidies.
As of December 31, 2023, a total of 6.44 million litres of diesel, estimated to be worth RM14.12 million, had been seized, he added.
“The Madani government remains committed to addressing diesel smuggling while striving to balance supply issues and the cost of living for the people.
“Subsidies are not being abolished; instead, the focus is on ensuring more efficient subsidy management, preventing leakage, and directing subsidies to the rightful groups.
“The government still has to bear around RM7 billion for diesel subsidies in Peninsular Malaysia,” Anwar said.
He said that the main objective of the targeted diesel subsidy was to avoid unnecessary expenditures and guarantee that the funds saved would benefit the broader population.
“The funds saved through this subsidy will be redirected into key areas such as education, healthcare, public transportation, and other sectors that significantly benefit the public,” he added. – June 17, 2024