Rural S'wak haulier scam uncovered

The Sarawak Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered a multi-million ringgit scam by transporters involved with the transportation of vital goods to rural and interior areas in the vast state.

State MACC chief Bahri Md Zin told Malaysiakini that the transporters were found to make false claims amounting to hundreds of thousands over the goods that they transported to the rural areas.

“On top of that, when we posed as officers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry late last year, they tried to bribe our officials.

“Hence, on top of making false claims, some of them will face charges of trying to bribe our officers. We are hauling them up from today until the end of next month to charge them in court,” he said.

Bahri said the transporters are registered under the National Price Control council and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

They were hired to transport essential items like cooking gas, flour, sugar to remote areas in the districts to ensure that the items are priced according to the control items.

However, he said in some cases although they transported the items, they may have over-declared the items transported, hence resulting in the false claims made to the ministry.

Bahri said the council has implemented this scheme since 2008.
“The purpose of the council is to stabilise the prices of goods including gas along with petrol and diesel. Its purpose is to protect the consumers and the people from the rise in prices, ensure there are ample good and prevent inflation,” he said.
Total subsidy of over RM105 million

Last year alone, he said it involves a total subsidy of RM105,393,468.00 which is channeled to the 116 suppliers or transporters which the government has appointed based on the point of sales agreement, especially for rural areas.

Based on the operation, the Sarawak MACC commissioner said they discovered that many hauliers made false claims.

“There are some who made claims from the government when no delivery was made. This has resulted in losses of several hundred thousands and affected the subsidy give-away,” he said, urging those who have further information to come forward and giving an assurance that they will be protected as crown witnesses.

Bahri said the commission viewed the matter seriously so that the government’s intention to ensure stable prices in rural areas is realised.