KUALA LUMPUR: Some 4,168kg of subsidised cooking oil worth RM40,000 were seized with six men arrested in an alleged smuggling attempt.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the crackdown was done in a raid on premises in Taman Semenyih Jaya, Semenyih, Selangor following a three-month investigation.
"The raid carried out by our enforcement officers at 4pm on Tuesday (March 11), is part of our intel work spanning a three-month investigation, before the operation was launched.
"The raiding team found four intermediate bulk container tanks containing cooking oil, oil boxes and plastic cooking packets that had been cut.
"All the cooking oil and some equipment used for this activity were seized for further investigation," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Azman said investigations on the Semenyih premises show that a location used for construction activities has been repurposed to illegally transfer subsidised cooking oil.
"The premises were involved in repackaging 1kg packets of subsidised cooking oil before transferring them into the intermediate bulk container tanks, likely for resale to industrial clients.
"Six individuals, including one Malaysian citizen and five foreign nationals in their 30s were arrested at the scene.
"All six are currently being detained to assist with ongoing investigations," he said.
Azman said the case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) which deals with unlawful possession of controlled articles.
"Violators under this Act face fines up to RM1mil or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
"Repeat offenders could face fines of up to RM3mil or five years of imprisonment, or both.
"While if the company involved is found guilty, it could face a fine of up to RM2mil for the first offense, and up to RM5mil for subsequent offenses," he said.
Azman said the company will also be investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds from Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001) for potential money laundering offenses related to the illegal oil trade.
"Under AMLATFPUAA 2001, if convicted, individuals could face imprisonment for up to 15 years and fines at least five times the value of the illegal proceeds, or RM5mil, whichever is higher," he said.
Azman said the ministry will continue to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement efforts to prevent any parties from exploiting subsidised controlled goods intended for the benefit of the public.
"Based on our statistics under our Ops Tiris 3.0, from January 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025, 94 cases involving cooking oil were reported across the country.
"This has resulted in the confiscation of 104,447kg of cooking oil worth RM109,000.
"This is part of the 'Kita Gempur" initiative, launched on October 19, 2024, aimed at tackling issues related to business manipulation, leakage, and the abuse of subsidised controlled goods," he said.
The ministry has urged those with information related to the activities of misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods to reach out and file complaints with the ministry through its various channels, including WhatsApp (019-848 8000), its portal at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my and call centre (1-800-886-800).
