PETALING JAYA: Nearly 6,000kg of subsidised household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been seized in a raid by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on an illegal decanting operation.
Datuk Azman Adam, the ministry’s director-general of enforcement, said the raid on the premises near Jalan Kampung Jawa in Shah Alam on Friday (March 14) confiscated 608 LPG cylinders, amounting to an estimated 5,864kg of LPG worth RM14,565.
He said several items used in the operation, including three trucks and decanting equipment, were also seized, with the total value of the seizure estimated to exceed RM200,000.
He revealed that three Malaysian men and one foreign national, aged between 25 and 45, working at the premises were arrested, with the operation suspected to have been running for at least two months.
"Initial inspection of the premises showed that it was used as an illegal storage facility for decanting activities, transferring subsidised LPG (for household use) into 50kg LPG cylinders intended for industrial use," he said.
The raid was conducted by a team of the ministry’s enforcement officers after three weeks of intelligence gathering on the premises.
"Equipment such as connecting hoses were also found and are believed to have been used in the decanting activity," he said in a press statement on Tuesday (March 18).
Investigation papers have been opened under Section 22(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for the possession of controlled goods with intent to commit an offence.
If found guilty, first-time offending individuals can be fined up to RM1mil or face three years of imprisonment, or both, while companies can be fined up to RM2mil.
The company involved will also be investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) for any profits related to the misappropriation of the subsidised LPG.
If convicted, individuals related to the company may face up to 15 years of imprisonment and fines not less than five times the amount or value of the unlawful proceeds or equipment used in the commission of the offence, or RM5mil, whichever is higher.
He encouraged the public to report any information related to the misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods through the following channels: WhatsApp 019-848 8000, ministry call centre 1-800-886-800, ministry e-Complaint Portal at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my, or the Ez ADU KPDN mobile application.
"The ministry will continue to intensify its monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure that no parties take advantage of or misappropriate subsidised controlled goods meant for public benefit," he added.
