KUCHING, March 29: Enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak have confiscated a total of 1,258kg of 1kg polybags containing subsidised cooking oil amounting to RM3,145, from business premises in Matang.
According to a statement issued by the director of KPDN Sarawak, Matthew Dominic Barin, their enforcement team raided the business premises after a two-week surveillance operation upon receiving public complaints alleging that it was selling cooking oil online.
He added after the raid, it would now be investigated under Section 20 (1) of the Supply Control Act 1961.
“If convicted, the offender, if it is a company, could be fined RM2 million for the first offence or up to RM5 million if it is their second offence.
“If the person is an individual, the fine will be RM1 million for the first offence or an imprisonment term not exceeding three years or both, and a fine of up to RM3 million for the second offence or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both,” he said.
Matthew further revealed that as of March 28, a total of 26,908 inspections had been carried out in business premises in Sarawak resulting in 433 cases that have a seizure value of RM 6,156,160.91 and with a compounded value of RM 30,755, and 76 of the cases were under the Supply Control Act 1961 with a total seizure value of RM 6,122,870.27.
Sarawak KPDN has carried out 63 inspections since March 23 to ensure the availability of these controlled goods during Ramadan, such as sugar, subsidised cooking oil, and wheat flour through Ops Pantau Bekalan.
“These inspections were carried out to ensure that traders involved complied with the Supply Act 1961 and its regulations, ” he said.
Members of the public who have any information regarding the activities of misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods can submit a complaint to the ministry by contacting 019-279 4317/019-848 8000, or KPDN e-Complaint portal at http://e.aduan.kpdn.gov.my, or by contacting their Call Center at 1-800-886-800. — DayakDaily
