Attempt to smuggle petrol in Kota Bharu foiled
Kelantan Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) director Azman Ismail said the suspect was held in a joint operation with the Pengkalan Kubor Marine Police Region Three team after enforcement personnel spotted a suspicious Proton Wira Aeroback car at a petrol station along Jalan Hospital.
'The suspect fled upon realising the presence of enforcement personnel, but his vehicle skidded and crashed into a road divider and traffic light before he was finally detained in front of a premises at Simpang 4 Cherang.
'An inspection of the vehicle found 20 jerrycans filled with petrol, estimated at a total of 500 litres, along with an electric pump complete with a hose, believed to have been used for illegal fuel transfers,' he said in a statement today.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Syndicates greasing the system
Spot check: (Left) Fuziah inspecting a packet of cooking oil during her visit to a repackaging factory at Kempas, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star PETALING JAYA: A web of syndicates has been exposed for misappropriating subsidised cooking oil, repackaging it and selling it illegally as used or industrial-grade oil, reaping hefty profits by exploiting public subsidies. Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Dr Fuziah Salleh said the groups had been buying one-kilogramme packets of subsidised cooking oil at RM2.50 each, then transferring the contents into drums and mixing it with low-grade or used oil. ALSO READ: Subsidised cooking oil misused for profit The adulterated product was then sold for RM4 to RM5 per kg, falsely labelled as used or industrial oil. 'Investigations revealed several organised syndicates behind these schemes. Thousands of kilogrammes of subsidised oil have been seized after being diverted for illegal resale,' she said. The ministry's enforcement teams uncovered the operations through on-ground inspections and online monitoring, including the discovery of suspicious online listings. Syndicates used unlabelled or falsely labelled drums to conceal the oil during transport, with some attempts even made to export the illicit product. Fuziah said three cases were initiated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) last year, all in Selangor, involving seizures worth over RM364,000. Two cases are already in court, while one remains under investigation, she said. Under the Act, companies found guilty of misappropriating controlled goods like subsidised cooking oil face fines of up to RM2mil, while individuals risk up to RM1mil in fines, three years' jail, or both. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties of up to RM5mil for companies and RM3mil or five years' imprisonment for individuals. To crack down on these abuses, the ministry has intensified enforcement through multi-agency collaboration involving the Customs Department, police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The report in 'The Star' on subsidised cooking oil being resold as used cooking oil. For digital spaces, the ministry has partnered with e-commerce platforms and social media companies to identify and remove suspicious listings. The ministry also leverages its Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme monitoring system to trace the subsidised oil supply chain from refineries to retailers, and has implemented zoning distribution systems in local markets to prevent misdirection. Fuziah said the ministry is also conducting audits on manufacturers and packagers to ensure compliance and deter misuse. This coordinated strategy, she added, enables swift responses to public complaints and digital surveillance findings, triggering investigations, digital traceability and joint enforcement raids. Legal action may also be taken under other relevant laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613). 'This is a serious matter involving the abuse of public subsidies. The ministry will not hesitate to act against those who profit at the expense of the rakyat,' Fuziah stressed. The Star previously reported that subsidised cooking oil, sold at RM2.50 per kg, can fetch up to RM3.50 per kg when resold as used cooking oil (UCO), raising concerns over profiteering. Collectors have reported cases of new oil being misrepresented as UCO to exploit the price difference. In response, the MPOB is reviewing standards to better distinguish UCO from palm oil by-products such as sludge palm oil, particularly in the export stream.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Pahang Rahmad MADANI sales hit RM25 million in first half of 2025
KUANTAN: The Rahmah MADANI Sales Programme (PJRM) 2025 in Pahang has achieved RM25 million in sales within the first six months of the year. The initiative, which began in January, has seen strong participation with 744 events held statewide, drawing over 713,000 visitors. Pahang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Jezlily Jamaluddin stated that the programme aims to conduct 1,008 sessions this year, offering essential goods at 10 to 30 per cent below market prices. 'Rural communities are a key focus, with events held twice monthly across all 42 state constituencies,' she said. The PJRM schedule is accessible via the Pahang KPDN Facebook page and the ministry's official website. Launched in January 2023, PJRM is a year-round effort to support low-income households by reducing living costs. Discounted items include staple foods like chicken, fish, eggs, and rice, along with household and personal care products. Separately, Jezlily reported that Ops Gasak, an enforcement operation targeting illegal LPG usage, has seized 1,343 subsidised gas cylinders worth nearly RM40,000 since May. Raids were conducted in Kuantan, Raub, Temerloh, and Rompin following public complaints and inspections. 'Hotels, factories, and fast-food chains have switched to unsubsidised LPG, while small businesses like eateries and laundromats retain access to subsidised supplies,' she explained. Authorities held discussions with suppliers and conducted awareness sessions before enforcement began. - Bernama
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Daily Express
Goods worth RM224,718 seized by Labuan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry
Published on: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 19, 2025 Text Size: Junaidah (right) together with KPDN enforcement personnel conducting an Ops Kesan 4.0 enforcement inspection at one of the supermarkets. LABUAN: A total of RM224,718.51 worth of goods have been seized here following intensive enforcement actions by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to date this year. So far, KPDN Labuan has inspected 9,356 business premises across the island, leading to 96 enforcement cases under five different legislations. Advertisement KPDN Labuan Director Junaidah Arbain said the most common violations involved the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, with 49 cases, followed closely by 31 cases under the Weights and Measures Act 1972. 'Additionally, eight cases were recorded under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, five under the Trade Descriptions Act and three under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. 'Alongside the seizures, enforcement efforts included the issuance of compounds amounting to RM72,500 and court-imposed fines totalling RM93,500,' she said Friday. KPDN officials also received and resolved all 77 consumer complaints lodged during the same period. Junaidah said the most frequent grievance involved pricing issues, accounting for 32 complaints. 'KPDN Labuan emphasises that all complaints have been fully investigated and no cases remain pending. 'The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring business compliance, pledging to continue its rigorous enforcement and awareness efforts throughout the year,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
