Subsidised cooking oil: 6.4 tonnes seized in Nibong Tebal

Officers detained three people after they seized 6.4 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil in Nibong Tebal, Penang. The Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) said so in a statement dated 22 October.

The raid took place on 21 October at about 3pm. It was at an unnumbered store in Kampung Sanglang.

Here is what officers found, how it links to an earlier raid in Penaga, and how to report suspected misuse.

Subsidised cooking oil seized in Kampung Sanglang

KPDN Penang ran the raid under Ops Tiris 4.0 (Integrated). It worked with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), mainly the Northern Region Marine Police.

The Penang marine police unit handed the Nibong Tebal case to KPDN, it said. One officer and five members led that team.

Officers detained three people, KPDN said. They are one local man and two foreign men. KPDN said all three will stay in remand to help the investigation.

KPDN described them as linked to the suspected diversion of the oil. No one has been charged yet. It gave no names.

Officers seized about 900kg of subsidised cooking oil in one-kilogram packets. They also took 4,000 cut-open packet wrappers.

In addition, about 5,500kg of oil was in six Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks, KPDN said. Officers also took a pump motor, hoses and an aluminium storage tank. KPDN said it believes the equipment is linked to the activity.

The total came to about 6,400kg, or 6.4 tonnes. KPDN valued the seizure at RM20,166.

Penaga raid and the legal case

This is not the first such case in Penang this month. On 12 October, KPDN and the marine police raided a premises in Penaga.

Officers found packet cooking oil moved into storage tanks at Penaga, KPDN said. The goods they seized were worth about RM65,450. That is more than three times the Nibong Tebal figure.

However, KPDN said any direct link between the two cases depends on the investigations. It has not said the two are connected.

KPDN is investigating the Nibong Tebal case under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122). It is also using Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

KPDN has opened one investigation paper. It said both raids show the value of agencies working together. It added that it will keep watching and act against abuse of controlled goods.

Why KPDN says subsidised cooking oil must not be diverted

KPDN director Jegan R. Subramaniam signed the statement. It said KPDN treats any activity that weakens the subsidy seriously. Such activity can also disrupt supply to the people it is meant for.

The statement said the government provides packet cooking oil for eligible Malaysians. It said nobody should misuse the oil for the benefit of certain parties.

KPDN said it will keep working with PDRM. It said strong cooperation helps it watch the supply chain for controlled goods.

KPDN said it will step up joint enforcement and take firm action against those who break the controlled goods laws.

Anyone with information can report it to KPDN through four channels. They are the WhatsApp line at 019-848 8000, the e-Aduan portal at eaduan.kpdn.gov.my and the call centre at 1-800-886-800. The fourth is the EzADU KPDN app.