malaysiangSIBU, One of the two siblings, remanded in connection with a subsidised diesel smuggling syndicate and bribery of enforcement officials, has been released on bail, today.
Magistrate Oon Kork Chern released the 39-year-old woman on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) bail.
Her 42-year-old brother remains in custody for a four-day remand period, which began on Monday (Aug 26).
According to a MACC source, the siblings were detained, along with two other men and a woman, at a diesel storage depot in Sungai Bidut, during an operation, codenamed ‘Op Liter’, conducted by MACC and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).
The three other suspects were also granted bail on Monday.
They are believed to be involved in a syndicate which diverts subsidised diesel fuel intended for fishermen, which is then sold at a higher price to overseas buyers.
The syndicate, which is believed to have been operating since 2012, made a profit of up to RM400 million, and is suspected of paying bribes to enf
orcement officers, to avoid action being taken against them for storing diesel without a valid permit.
In an operation on Sunday (Aug 25), the MACC seized RM3.7 million in cash, two barges and 30 oil storage tanks, believed to contain about 1.6 million litres of diesel.
The case is being investigated under Sections 16(b)(B) and 18 of the MACC Act 2009, Section 471 of the Penal Code, and the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
