Latest news with #ControlofSuppliesAct1961
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
LPG cartel busted: 4,500 cylinders seized in night raid
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 4,500 gas cylinders were seized during a raid by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) at a warehouse in Jalan Ipoh, following a month-long intelligence operation into the large-scale misappropriation of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Kuala Lumpur KPDN director Mohd Sabri Seman said the same premises had been raided in August last year, and action was taken against the operator. However, continued surveillance revealed that illegal activity had resumed. The syndicate is believed to have transferred subsidised LPG from 14kg household cylinders into 50kg industrial ones, a method known as decanting. "The subsidised gas, purchased at RM22 per unit, was transferred and resold in industrial cylinders for between RM180 and RM240," he said. About 4,500 cylinders of various sizes, with an estimated retail market value of RM400,000, were seized in the raid. Sabri said the decanting process involved the use of ice blocks to cool the gas cylinders, and the frequent entry of ice trucks into the compound raised suspicions. The repackaged gas was supplied to local businesses, including factories, hotels, and restaurants. Although the premises held a valid LPG wholesale licence and operated legitimately during the day, it allegedly misused subsidised gas at night to avoid detection. Investigations also revealed the syndicate was operating under multiple business entities—four to five different companies across Kuala Lumpur—to avoid being traced. "Each time a company is raided, they change names and locations but continue the same night-time decanting activities. We believe it's the same cartel, operating under a new name," he said. The raid, which began at 11.20pm, also led to the arrest of two Bangladeshi nationals, who claimed they had only recently started working at the warehouse and had never met their employer, believed to be a local. Checks revealed both had valid work permits—but for the construction sector, not for handling gas. "The local owner of the premises has been identified. The detained foreign workers will be handed over to the Immigration Department for further action," Sabri said. The case is being investigated under Sections 21 and 61 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Petrol, diesel smuggling slows as authorities clamp down at border
TUMPAT: Heightened enforcement by border security agencies along the Malaysia-Thailand border has led to a significant decline in petrol and diesel smuggling activities. A check at several petrol stations in the district revealed that the once-frequent activity of purchasing subsidised fuel for illegal cross-border trade has slowed noticeably, despite continued demand for fuel across the border. A source said many fuel smugglers have either temporarily suspended operations or shifted to alternative forms of smuggling following persistent enforcement efforts by agencies, especially the General Operations Force. "The enforcement presence is much tighter now. "Many regular smugglers have gone quiet. "Some are taking a break, others have moved on to smuggling different goods, and a few have quit the trade entirely," the source said. Checks also showed that only a handful of 4WD vehicles, commonly used by smugglers, were observed refuelling at stations near the border. "These are believed to be repeat buyers, who now make smaller purchases to avoid detection. "Those still active in smuggling are buying in small quantities per trip to reduce suspicion. "But overall, the volume of such activity has dropped," the source added. It is understood that while demand for Malaysian subsidised fuel remains high in neighbouring Thailand due to price differences, increased border patrols and roadblocks have made smuggling riskier and less lucrative. Meanwhile, Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Azman Ismail confirmed the trend, attributing the decline to consistent enforcement actions under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. Last year alone, he said the ministry recorded 240 arrests, with the seizure of nearly 127,600 litres of petrol worth about RM276,400. Meanwhile, about 247,600 litres of diesel worth nearly RM600,000 were also seized, and 460 vehicles valued at RM4.25 million were confiscated last year. As of June this year, he said 102 arrests had been recorded, with the seizure of 25,781 litres of petrol valued at about RM55,365 and 21,353 litres of diesel worth RM61,180. "A total of 221 vehicles valued at about RM1.18 million were seized. "All cases are being investigated under the Act. "Some arrests were made based on referrals from other enforcement agencies, while others were initiated directly by the ministry. "The decrease in this activity is also due to the ban on illegal crossings enforced by the police effective from Dec 1 last year," said Azman.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Director fined for unauthorised distribution of subsidised diesel
JOHOR BARU: A toxic waste management company director was slapped with a RM110,000 fine by the Sessions Court here after he pleaded guilty to the distribution of subsidised diesel. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN)'s Johor director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said Ong Kong Hong, 45, was brought to court on Monday (June 30), where he made the plea. 'He was charged for possessing about 46,000 litres of diesel worth RM115,000. 'The activities were uncovered when a KPDN enforcement team raided his toxic waste management company in Masai at around 12pm on April 17, 2022, upon receiving information from the police,' she said in a statement on Tuesday (July 1). The offence was framed under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961. Lilis Saslinda added that Sessions judge Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim ordered Ong to pay a fine of RM110,000 in default of eight months' imprisonment. The court also instructed for the diesel, a lorry and tanker that were seized during the raid to be confiscated by the government. The case was prosecuted by KPDN's deputy public prosecutor Shafiq Mahadi. Ong, who was represented by a counsel, paid the fine.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- New Straits Times
One arrested, 15,000 litres of subsidised diesel seized in plantation raid
KUBANG PASU: Authorities crippled a diesel smuggling syndicate in a Changlun plantation raid, arresting one man and seizing over 15,000 litres of subsidised fuel and equipment worth RM47,250, an official said. The 4.15pm raid was carried out yesterday by enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) and the General Operations Force (GOF) intelligence unit, acting on a tip-off. Kedah KPDN director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said the team found diesel believed to have been siphoned from a tanker truck into multiple drum containers. "A local man in his 20s, who claimed to be a worker at the site, was detained during the operation. He failed to produce any licence or documentation authorising possession of the controlled goods," he said in a statement today. The operation also led to the seizure of equipment used in the illegal activities, with the total value of confiscated items estimated at RM47,250. The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. "For individuals, the maximum penalty under the Act is a RM1 million fine, a jail term of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders face up to RM3 million in fines or imprisonment of up to five years," Nizam said.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor KPDN destroys RM3.5mil fake goods in major bust
SHAH ALAM: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) destroyed counterfeit goods worth over RM3.5 million today at the Bukit Raja Exhibits Storage in Selangor. This marks the state's largest disposal operation in half a decade. Selangor KPDN director Mohd Zuhairi Mat Radey confirmed the seized items stemmed from 64 resolved court cases between January 2024 and May 2024. 'The disposed items include 41,000 self-care products, 4,000 clothing accessories, 4,370 watches and garments, 11,900 footwear units, and 300 motorcycle parts,' he stated during a press briefing. Additional confiscated equipment involved in controlled item misappropriation—such as pumps, flow meters, and storage containers—valued at RM250,000 were also discarded. The cases fell under multiple laws, including the Trademarks Act 2019, Control of Supplies Act 1961, and Copyright Act 1987. Mohd Zuhairi emphasized the ministry's commitment to curbing illicit trade and protecting consumer rights.
