SANDAKAN – Amid complaints from all over Sabah about the shortage of subsidised cooking oil, the Sandakan branch of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has confiscated over 15,000kg of the oil believed to be in the process of being repackaged and sold at a higher price.
Its chief enforcement officer Azdy Zukkry John said the cooking oil was seized during a raid at an unnumbered house at Jalan Sin Kee in Kg Jawa 2, Mile 12, here, at about 7.30pm yesterday.
He said a week of intelligence work had led the Sandakan Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to raid the house.
There they found 436 boxes (7,412kg) of cooking oil of different brands, five tanks of cooking oil (about 7,500kg), and eight gallons of cooking oil (136g), with a total worth of about RM37,620.
However, no individual was at the scene during the operation, thus no suspect was detained.
Azdy said the premises did not have the permission or licence to store controlled price goods, which is an offence under Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
However, the team believes that the house was used to repack subsidised cooking oil from the 1kg packets into different containers before selling them at a much higher price in the market.
As such, the case is investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possessing controlled price goods with the intention of offence, read with Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 – Rule 3(1) for conducting controlled goods business without a licence.
Anyone found guilty of the offence can be punished with a maximum RM1 million fine for a first-time offender, and maximum RM3 million or three years’ imprisonment, or both, for repeated offences.
Companies that are found guilty can be punished with a maximum fine of RM2 million, and RM5 million for repeated offences.
Azdy warned appointed subsidised oil repacker companies not to sell to unlicensed buyers who do not have written permission issued by the ministry.
“The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will not hesitate to take stern action against those who disobey the laws and rules,” he stressed.
He said Sandakan Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will continue to monitor and check on all activities relating to subsidised 1kg-packet-cooking oil to the abuse of subsidised items.
Public members who have information regarding such crimes could channel their complaints to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000 or via the complaint portal, or call 1-800-886-800. – The Vibes, July 28, 2022
