SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sandakan branch confiscated 1,300 litres of subsidised petrol in a raid on an illegal store in Jalan Segaliud, here, Wednesday.
Also seized were a three-tonne lorry and equipment believed to be used for the subsidised petrol misappropriation activity, estimated to be worth RM50,065. Its Enforcement Chief Azdy John believed they carried out the raid at about 5.30pm.
“A total of 1,300 litres of subsidised petrol, a lorry with a capacity of three tonnes and equipment were confiscated with a total value of RM50,065.
“A local man believed to be responsible for the raided store was also detained for the purpose of assisting the investigation under the Supply Control Act 1961,” he told a press conference, Thursday.
Azdy said the raid followed a public complaint received by the KPDN Sandakan Branch Office.
“Our initial investigation shows that the premises involved did not have any permission or valid license to store controlled items,” he said
The case will be investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for possessing controlled goods with the intention of committing an offence read with Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 for conducting controlled goods transactions without a licence.
An investigation will also be conducted under Section 20(1) of the same act for keeping controlled items in a place without the permission of the controller.
Azdy also reminded petrol station operators not to sell RON95 petrol and subsidised diesel to buyers who do not have any written permission from the KPDN.
For the record, from Jan 1 to Oct 5, 2023, the KPDN Sandakan Branch has taken action against a total of 148 cases involving offences under various laws enforced by the KPDN and the total confiscated value of the cases involved is RM2,671,761.30.
“Of the 148 cases, 51 cases were recorded under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, 17 cases under the Weights and Measures Act and 80 cases were taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
“In terms of complaints, a total of 135 complaints from users have been received by the KPDN Sandakan Branch in the same period,” he said.
