On May 5, 2026, Malaysian enforcement officers in Tawau, Sabah, seized a modified lorry suspected of being used in diesel smuggling. The operation, conducted by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), uncovered 3,000 liters of subsidized diesel stored in a hidden compartment within the vehicle.
The lorry, which had been altered to conceal the fuel, was intercepted during a routine patrol near the Tawau port area. Authorities estimate the seized diesel, intended for illegal export, has a market value of approximately RM 6,000. No arrests were made at the scene, as the driver fled upon spotting the officers.
KPDN officials stated that the smuggling of subsidized fuel is a recurring issue in Sabah, driven by price disparities with neighboring countries. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which carries penalties including fines and imprisonment for offenders.
This seizure is part of ongoing efforts by Malaysian authorities to curb fuel smuggling, which undermines government subsidies and local supply. The modified lorry has been impounded for further investigation.
