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The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- 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.
Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt bans import of dummy seat belt buckles
Dummy buckles are inserted into belt slots to prevent the alarm from triggering whenever a seat belt is not worn. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : The government has moved to ban the import of mechanisms such as dummy buckles and seat belt alarm stoppers, effective Dec 31. The move was announced through the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025, published in the federal gazette. The order prohibits the import of 'dummy buckles, seat belt alarm stoppers, seat belt clip extenders or any other similar accessory or device intended to be inserted into a seat belt buckle to disable or bypass the safety reminder and render the seat belt mechanism inoperative'. The transport ministry previously said it was in talks with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to introduce a ban on dummy buckles, following concerns over their widespread use to silence seat belt alarms. During a Chinese New Year traffic operation in Negeri Sembilan, authorities found that nearly 30% of 195 offenders caught for not wearing seat belts had used dummy buckles to avoid triggering the warning alert.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Durian frenzy: 3 tonnes sold in 12 hours at Johor carnival
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Around three tonnes of durian, equivalent to about 2,000 fruits were sold out in 12 hours on the first day of the Rahmah Madani Sale in conjunction with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry 2025 Southern Zone Carnival held at Puteri Harbour on Friday (June 27). Durian trader Mohd Hairul Mohd Aziz, 43, from Batu Pahat, said the affordable promotional prices ranging from RM25 to RM35 per kg for the premium Musang King variety, compared to the market price of RM40 to RM60 was the main reason for the overwhelming response from visitors. "From 10am to 10pm yesterday alone, we managed to sell almost three tonnes of durian. Today, we're targeting to sell another four tonnes, insya‑Allah,' he told Bernama when met at his sales tent at the carnival on Saturday (June 28). Commenting on the Eat Local Fruits campaign launched yesterday by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, he described the initiative as a timely move to bring Malaysia's agricultural produce into the spotlight. "Malaysian durians are among the best in the world. If events like this are organised more often, locals can enjoy premium durians that are usually exported,' he said. Hairul also expressed his support for the expansion of the Rahmah Madani Sale and campaigns to promote local fruits, especially now that some imported fruits are subject to Sales and Services Tax (SST). "This is the best time for us to aggressively promote local fruits. The quality is excellent and should be the rakyat's first choice,' he said. Visitors also welcomed the campaign, which offers affordable prices while boosting demand for local agricultural produce. Siti Rubiah Manshor, 51, said local fruits should be the people's top pick, especially in the current economic climate. "It's a shame if local fruits aren't our first choice, while foreigners are scrambling to buy them. This campaign to eat local fruits is great, but it needs to be implemented consistently,' she said. On Friday, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali launched the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign (KBBM) 2025, themed 'Jom Beli Lokal' (Let's Buy Local), aimed at expanding the reach of local products and reducing dependence on imported goods.- Bernama
![[UPDATED] Fuziah: Op Gasak had 'communication issue'](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fgasakki_1749574538.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Fuziah: Op Gasak had 'communication issue'](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Fuziah: Op Gasak had 'communication issue'
KUALA LUMPUR: Op Gasak was intended to target activities involving the decanting of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into non-subsidised containers. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said the enforcement, however, was not communicated effectively. "Targeting decanting was the initial move, where subsidised LPG was transferred into non-subsidised containers. "But somehow, there was a communication issue," she told reporters after the BBC's World Questions debate held in Petaling Jaya tonight where she was among four panellists. Fuziah said that the government is now collecting data and engaging with multiple stakeholders before bringing feedback to the Cabinet in order to make amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021. "This would allow the micro businesses to have more than three canisters of LPG gas cylinders. "Before this it was three and you would have to have a special permit to have more than that. "Now that rule no longer applies (to micro businesses)." Fuziah was responding to criticism that the Op Gasak campaign was poorly communicated and rushed. She said that this is why the Cabinet, in light of the feedback received, agreed to allow micro and small-scale food and retail businesses to continue using LPG cylinders without a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) until October. Op Gasak, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, aims to curb illegal activities such as gas decanting (transferring gas from subsidised to non-subsidised cylinders), smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by medium and large-scale industrial sectors.
New Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Police record statement from DAP youth chief over satirical social media post
IPOH: Police have recorded the statement of DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong to assist in investigations regarding a social media post featuring a caricature of Perak opposition leader Razman Zakaria. Acting Gerik district police chief Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah confirmed the matter when contacted today. "Yes, a statement was recorded. It is part of the investigation process," he said briefly. Earlier today, Woo, who is also the Perak State Executive Councillor for Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and New Villages, in a press conference said he had given his statement to the police following a report lodged against him over a Facebook post from April featuring a clown-themed caricature of Razman. Lawyer Syahredzan Johan, who is representing Woo, said two investigating officers from the Gerik district police headquarters visited the Exco Office at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building to record the statement, which lasted about 30 minutes, starting at 10.50am. "All the questions were answered. We fully cooperated," he said during a press conference at the Perak DAP headquarters today. Syahredzan said police also seized Woo's iPhone and SIM card for further investigation. Meanwhile, Woo described the police report lodged against him as an unhealthy political culture and an attempt to stifle freedom of expression. He claimed that political satire, including caricatures, does not constitute a personal attack but is instead a form of public oversight. "As a politician, I defend everyone's right to criticise me, and at the same time, I also have the right to respond rather than stay silent," he said. Previously, Razman had demanded that Woo issue a public apology during the Perak State Legislative Assembly session over the publication of provocative content targeting him, which was posted on social media on April 10. However, Woo stood by his action, arguing that the caricature was a form of satire based on facts — one of the cornerstones of democracy.
