SANDAKAN: More than one tonne of subsidised cooking oil was seized from a house here, believed to have been used as an illegal storage point for controlled goods.
A total of 1,139kg of 1kg cooking oil packets were found stored in a room during a raid by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcement team at about 9.47pm on Thursday (Apr 16).
Sandakan enforcement chief Joe Azmi Jamil said initial investigations revealed that the individual at the premises failed to produce any permit or licence for storing the controlled goods.
The seized items were estimated to be worth RM2,747.
A 20-year-old woman, believed to be responsible for the premises at the time, had her statement recorded to assist investigations.
The raid was carried out following a week of intelligence gathering by the ministry’s Sandakan officers.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
“We will not compromise with any individual or company involved in the misappropriation of controlled goods, and firm action, including prosecution, will be taken.
“Under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, individuals convicted of the offence may face a fine of up to RM1mil or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, for a first offence. Repeat offenders may face fines of up to RM3mil or jail terms of up to five years, or both," Joe Azmi said.
Companies found guilty may be fined up to RM2mil, or up to RM5mil for subsequent offences.
Joe Azmi added that the ministry will continue monitoring the distribution of subsidised 1kg cooking oil packets in the district and conduct comprehensive audits to ensure supplies reach the intended recipients.
The ministry also urged the public to provide information on such activities, while reminding them not to spread unverified information that could cause unnecessary public concern.
