Over 13 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil seized in raid on JB factory

JOHOR BARU: A factory here has been raided for allegedly misappropriating more than 13 tonnes of subsidised cooking coil.

Johor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry director Mohd Hairul Anuar Bohro said an enforcement team conducted an operation at the factory in Kota Masai here at around 11am on Monday (June 27).

“The factory, which collects and sells used cooking oil, is suspected of misappropriating subsidised cooking oil.

“The raiding team found and seized 13,610kg of subsidised cooking oil at the scene,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 28).

Mohd Hairul said initial investigations found that the factory, which has been operating for about a year, had been opening 1kg polybags of subsidised cooking oil and pouring them into a tank where it was mixed with used oil before being sold.

“Investigations so far revealed that the factory has been selling the 'used' cooking oil to biodiesel processing companies,” he added.

The raiding team seized the cooking oil and other items with an estimated value of RM88,785, he said, adding that closed-circuit TV recordings were also confiscated.

Mohd Hairul said a 30-year-old man who is a director of the company was also detained to help with investigations under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

He said the ministry was committed to fighting malpractice involving subsidised packaged cooking oil to ensure that there was sufficient supply to consumers.

“The ministry will act swiftly to curb misappropriation of subsidised controlled goods in the interest of the people,” he said.