Government Tightens Border Controls, 22 Fuel Stations In Sarawak Placed Under Monitoring
KUCHING: The government is strengthening efforts to curb fuel leakage in border areas through the launch of OPS Tiris 4.0 at high-risk fuel stations, with 22 locations in Sarawak identified for integrated monitoring.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said the decision was agreed upon during the Cabinet meeting on 8 April 2026 as part of efforts to expand the static deployment of enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).
He explained that, out of 151 fuel stations identified nationwide, 87 are located in border areas while another 64 are categorised as high-risk based on suspicious sales patterns.
“If we look at border areas, of the 87 fuel stations identified, 22 are located in Sarawak, including in Limbang, Lubok Antu and Lundu, which will be monitored by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM),” he said.
He said this at a press conference after chairing a meeting on the establishment of the OPS Tiris 4.0 Special Task Force at a leading hotel in Kuching on Monday.
He added that the measure would enable KPDN to focus specifically on high-risk locations, including 16 diesel depots under the Sarawak State Fishermen’s Association (PANESA), 25 unbranded fuel stations, 153 privately licensed skid tanks, as well as illegal jetties conducting bunkering activities along rivers across Sarawak.
In a related development, Ops Tiris 4.0, implemented since 16 March, has shown effectiveness, recording 13,759 inspections in less than a month.
Of that total, 239 cases were detected involving various controlled goods, including diesel, RON95 petrol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as cooking oil, sugar and wheat flour.
“From 16 March to 12 April 2026, a total of 13,759 inspections were conducted, resulting in 239 cases. Of these, 99 cases involved diesel with seizure values exceeding RM3.1 million, followed by 61 cases involving RON95 petrol with seizures worth RM95,387.65, and 30 cases involving LPG amounting to RM45,103.34.
“In addition, 49 cases involved other controlled goods such as cooking oil, sugar and wheat flour,” he further explained.
He, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, revealed that as of 12 April 2026, the total value of seizures had reached RM11 million. In Sarawak alone, 48 cases were recorded with seizure values totalling RM6.7 million.
He added that the success of the operation was the result of close cooperation among various enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the General Operations Force (PGA), the Marine Police Force (PPM), the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), and the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).
In this regard, he warned that the authorities would take firm action, including suspending or revoking approval for fleet cards under the Subsidised Diesel Control Scheme (SKDS) and fishermen’s diesel subsidies in cases of misuse.
Also present were KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, KPDN Secretary-General Dato Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar, and KPDN Enforcement Director-General Datuk Azman Adam. - UKASnews
