KUDAT: A total of 496 people were detained and RM80.11mil worth of controlled and subsidised goods were seized during Op Tiris 3.0 from Jan 1 to Aug 28.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said 29,487 inspections were conducted nationwide during the same period, resulting in 2,005 recorded cases.
He added that Op Tiris 3.0 was conducted to curb the smuggling and misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods.
“This includes diesel, RON95 petrol, the 1kg packet cooking oil, liquefied petroleum gas, wheat flour and refined white sugar in 1kg packets.
“The ministry will continue to enhance enforcement measures, including strengthening cooperation with relevant agencies,” he said when met by reporters at the Sentuhan Kasih and Consumer Advocacy programme here yesterday.
Also present was Tanjong Kapor assemblyman Ben Chong, Bernama reported.
Armizan said on Aug 23, officials from the ministry, with the cooperation of the police, crippled a syndicate involved in the misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil following a raid on three premises in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.
A total of 180,200kg of subsidised cooking oil of various brands, vehicles and some documents such as sales and purchase invoices were seized in the raid, he said, adding that a local man and two foreign men were detained.
He said the case was being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
He reminded parties involved in the supply and distribution of subsidised cooking oil to be more responsible and ensure that the subsidised items are for the target groups.
“Wholesalers and retailers, as well as the re-packers, must be responsible and ensure that leakage does not occur,” he said.
