KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is conducting further investigations to determine whether other parties were involved in the misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil, following the seizure of 4,127 kilogrammes of the controlled item in Kampung Chetok, Pasir Mas, yesterday.
Kelantan KPDN director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf said the investigation aims to uncover potential illicit activities involving the misappropriation of subsidised controlled goods.
During the operation part of 'Ops Tiris 4.0 (Integrated) carried out at 8
pm, the Kelantan KPDN seized subsidised cooking oil valued at RM11,053.50, along with five vehicles, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM138,053.50.
"The operation, conducted by Kelantan KPDN's Intelligence and Special Action Unit (URTK) in collaboration with the Patrol Unit (MPV) of the Pasir Mas district police headquarters, resulted in two separate cases.
"The first case involved the seizure of 1,577 kilogrammes of subsidised cooking oil of various brands, along with a Toyota Unser, a Mitsubishi Pajero, and a Nissan Navara, with a total value of RM70,678.50," he said during a press conference at the Kelantan KPDN headquarters here today.
According to him, the second case involved the seizure of 2,550 kilogrammes of subsidised cooking oil, along with a Toyota Hiace and a Mitsubishi Pajero, with a total value of RM67,375.
"The seized cooking oil consisted of one-kilogramme packets of various brands, as well as five-kilogramme bottled cooking oil produced by local companies in Kelantan and other states."
"Previously, the act of gathering supplies of subsidised cooking oil from wholesalers and storing them at specific locations is believed to have been the modus operandi of the parties involved," he said.
Hanif said action has also been taken against individuals linked to both cases.
The cases are being investigated under Sections 21 and 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, as well as Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.
These provisions relate to the possession of controlled goods with the intent to commit an offence, the unauthorised transfer of controlled goods to unlicensed premises, and the wholesale of controlled goods without a valid license.
He added that the Kelantan branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will continue to intensify enforcement operations particularly in border areas to curb the misappropriation and smuggling of subsidised controlled goods, and to ensure that these supplies are not misused. — BERNAMA
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