KUCHING, July 13: A total of 255 packets of 1kg cooking oil and 41 bottles of cooking oil worth RM1,495.50 were seized by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) following raids at premises selling their products online.
Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi in a social media post said through the ministry’s crackdown on controlled and subsidised goods, they found 18 premises selling their products online via two well-known e-commerce platforms.
“From July 1 to 12, our enforcement team detected 18 names with seller’s addresses displayed on the e-commerce platform. Further inspection and raids led to the discovery of one premise being used as storage and packaging of packets and bottled cooking oil for online sale.
“Action were taken under Section 20 (1) of the Control of Supply Act 1961 for storing controlled goods other than the licensed premises,” Nanta said.
During the same period, a total of 38 advertisements selling packets and bottled cooking oil found on the two platforms were also ordered to be taken down.
He reiterated that cooking oil is a scheduled controlled item under the Control of Supply Act 1961 and any party dealing with this commodity must have a license issued by KPDNHEP.
Under Sub-Regulation 3 (1) of the Control Supply Regulations 1974, no person is allowed to conduct wholesale or retail of any scheduled goods without a license issued under Regulation 4.
“In order to curb the leakage and misappropriation of subsidies that is meant for the needy, KPDNHEP is further examining several measures to tighten online sales procedures, especially those involving controlled and subsidised goods.
“KPDNHEP would like to give a stern warning to all traders who deal in controlled and subsidised goods, especially cooking oil, to always comply with the existing laws. The ministry will continue to monitor and take legal action against those involved in the misappropriation of controlled goods,” he warned. — DayakDaily
