Three men were detained after KPDN seized 6.4 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil worth RM20,166 in a raid in Nibong Tebal, Penang, under Ops Tiris 4.0.
GEORGE TOWN: Three men were detained after 6.4 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil were seized in a raid in Nibong Tebal yesterday.
They were detained at an unnumbered premises in Kampung Sanglang, where enforcement officers found cooking oil suspected of being diverted from the controlled-goods supply chain.
Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Jegan R. Subramaniam said the raid was conducted at about 3pm under Ops Tiris 4.0 (Bersepadu), involving KPDN and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), specifically the Northern Region Marine Police.
“The latest action reflects KPDN Penang’s continued commitment to intensifying joint enforcement operations with PDRM to combat activities suspected of involving the diversion of controlled goods,” he said in a statement today.
Officers seized about 900kg of cooking oil in 1kg packets, 4,000 pieces of cut-open cooking oil packet packaging and an estimated 5,500kg of oil believed to have been stored in six intermediate bulk container (IBC) tanks.
Other items seized included a pump motor, hoses and an aluminium storage tank.
The total quantity of cooking oil seized was estimated at 6,400kg, or 6.4 tonnes, with the overall seizure valued at RM20,166.
The three men are expected to be remanded to assist in further investigations. The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) and Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974. One investigation paper has been opened.
The seizure followed a similar raid in Penaga on Oct 12, when KPDN Penang and the Northern Region Marine Police uncovered the transfer of packet cooking oil into storage tanks. Goods worth an estimated RM65,450 were seized.
“Both operations demonstrate the importance of strategic cooperation between enforcement agencies in strengthening monitoring and combating activities suspected of involving the misuse of controlled goods.
“However, any direct link between the two cases will be subject to the outcome of the investigations,” Jegan said.
The value of the goods seized in Penaga was more than three times that of the Nibong Tebal haul.
Jegan said subsidised packet cooking oil was intended for eligible Malaysians and should not be misused for the benefit of certain parties.
“KPDN takes seriously any activity that could undermine the effectiveness of the government’s subsidy programme and disrupt the supply chain and distribution of cooking oil to its intended recipients,” he said.
KPDN would continue to intensify enforcement operations and take firm action against those found to have breached laws governing controlled goods, he added.
Members of the public with information about the diversion of controlled goods can lodge complaints through KPDN’s WhatsApp line at 019-848 8000, the e-Aduan portal at eaduan.kpdn.gov.my, its call centre at 1-800-886-800 or the EzADU KPDN smartphone app.