KUDAT: A pump boat carrying 1,400 litres of petrol was detained by the Marine Police Force (PPM) in Kudat, with the case handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
KPDN Kudat Chief Enforcement Officer Nazatul Shima Karim said a 45-year-old local man was arrested by PPM at the mouth of Sungai Kampung Kimihang.
She said the suspect was detained on board a blue pump boat without a registration number, carrying controlled goods without valid documents or permits.
“Further inspection found the man, believed to be the owner of the boat, was transporting 1,400 litres of petrol in seven metal drums, 408kg of cooking oil and 168kg of coarse sugar,” she said.
She added that the seizure also included three boat engines believed to have been used in the smuggling activity, with the total value of the confiscated items estimated at RM15,000.
Nazatul said KPDN Kudat recorded its appreciation to PPM Region Four for its cooperation, commitment and proactive action in curbing the misappropriation of controlled goods in Kudat waters.
She said KPDN remains committed to strengthening enforcement to ensure controlled goods reach the intended groups, particularly amid economic challenges and global energy pressures affecting supply chains and price stability.
The public is encouraged to channel information on such activities to the authorities through official channels.
In SANDAKAN, a total of 1,139kg of subsidised cooking oil in packets was seized during a raid by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sandakan branch at a house used as a storage site for controlled goods on Thursday.
KPDN Sandakan Chief Enforcement Officer Joe Azmi Jamil said the raid, carried out at about 9.47pm, followed a week-long intelligence operation that detected the storage activity at the residential premises.
He said inspections found 1,139 packets of 1kg subsidised cooking oil stored in a room at the house.
“Initial investigations found that the individual involved failed to produce any valid permit or licence to store the controlled goods.
“All the cooking oil was seized, with the total value of the confiscation estimated at RM2,747. A 20-year-old local woman believed to be responsible at the location has had her statement recorded to assist further investigations,” he said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which provides for a fine of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, for a first offence. Repeat offenders may face a fine of up to RM3 million or a maximum jail term of five years.
Joe Azmi said the department would not compromise with any individual or syndicate involved in the misappropriation of controlled goods, including subsidised cooking oil, and would take firm action, including prosecution.
He added that continuous monitoring and thorough audits are being carried out to ensure subsidised cooking oil reaches the intended recipients through proper distribution channels.
The public is urged to channel information on such activities to the authorities while refraining from spreading unverified information that could cause public concern.
