KOTA KINABALU: Selling subsidised cooking oil packets at inflated prices on social media sparked suspicion, leading to the arrest of a local man and RM20,579.30 in controlled goods seized.
State Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Georgie Abas said the illegal operation was revealed after undercover officers, posing as customers, contacted the seller and were instructed to come to a house address given via WhatsApp.
“A raid was conducted immediately during the transaction, and further inspection uncovered various brands of 1kg subsidised cooking oil packets and 1kg coarse sugar stored along the house’s sidewalk and in the living room,” he said.
The raid, codenamed Ops Tiris, took place at a terrace house in Taman Hings, Jalan Kobusak, on Sunday (Oct 6) at 7pm, following public information received earlier.
Further checks revealed an estimated 8,177kg of various brands of 1kg cooking oil packets and 48kg of coarse sugar at the premises.
All items were seized after the house caretaker failed to present any documentation or authorisation from the ministry to purchase or store the subsidised goods.
“A 27-year-old local male caretaker was detained to assist in the investigation. The case will be investigated under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961 for possessing controlled goods, namely cooking oil and coarse sugar, with the intent to commit an offence,” he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 7).
Under the Supply Control Act 1961 (Act 122), individuals convicted of an offence may be fined up to RM1mil for the first offence and up to RM3mil for subsequent offences, or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
For companies, the fine may be up to RM2mil for the first offence and up to RM5mil for subsequent offences.
“Sabah KPDN will continue to carry out ongoing inspections and monitoring of all activities related to controlled goods in Sabah to prevent any misappropriation of these goods,” said Abas.
He called on the public to report such activities by sending messages to WhatsApp: 019-848 8000, or submit complaints through the KPDN e-Complaint Portal at http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my, or contact the call centre at 1-800-886-800.
