SUNGAI PETANI: The Kedah Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) seized 3,383 packets of subsidised cooking oil worth RM8,457.50 from a used clothing shop in the Kemuning Light Industrial Area here on Monday.
Kedah KPDN director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said the raid followed intelligence gathering since the previous week, after the department received public complaints about the alleged misuse of subsidised goods.
He said enforcement officers arrived at the premises at 2pm but had to wait more than four hours before two men, aged 18 and 26, opened the door. The men identified themselves as brothers and sons of the shop owner.
Further inspections uncovered the cooking oil packets stored in two separate locations inside the premises.
Muhammad Nizam said the two men failed to produce valid licences or documents authorising the storage and trading of the controlled goods.
They were detained for questioning to assist investigations into the duration of the alleged activity, the source of the cooking oil and its intended distribution channels.
The case is being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961 for allegedly dealing in scheduled controlled goods without a valid licence from the Controller of Supplies.
Upon conviction, offenders face a fine of up to RM1 million, imprisonment for up to three years, or both for a first offence. Repeat offenders may face a fine of up to RM3 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
-AWANI
