JB cops nab foreigner with 85kg of subsidised cooking oil without permit

JOHOR BARU: Police have detained a man who was in possession of 85 packets of subsidised cooking oil without a permit.

State police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said an intelligence team tailed the car of the 35-year-old suspect, a foreign national, and arrested him at around 12.30pm on Monday (Sept 18).

“The suspect could not produce any valid documents or permits (for) the items.

“He had stashed the 1kg polybags of cooking oil in five cardboard cartons in the car boot.

“Each carton contained 17 packets of subsidised cooking oil,” he said in a statement Tuesday (Sept 19).

He said the case was being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which carries a maximum fine of RM1mil or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

“Those involved in the smuggling of subsidised cooking oil should stop immediately as we are keeping a close eye on such activities and will not hesitate to take action,” he added.

The issue of subsidised cooking oil being sold to foreigners was widely discussed after a 3min video recording went viral showing several boxes believed to contain 1kg packets of cooking oil being sold by foreigners in the city.

Following the viral incident, Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo reportedly said the authorities have identified the premises believed to be involved in selling the subsidised cooking oil.

She said the location was in the vicinity of the Pandan Wholesale Market and the ministry had opened an investigation paper on the matter.