As part of the anti-smuggling drive to curb subsidy leakage, the Ministry of Commerce arrested nearly 500 people and confiscated goods worth RM80 million from January to August.

KUDAT, September 1 – A total of 496 people were arrested and controlled and subsidised goods worth RM80.11 million were confiscated under Operation Op Tiris 3.0 from January 1 to August 28 this year.

Minister for Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that 29,487 inspections were conducted nationwide during the same period, with 2,005 cases recorded. said that 29,487 inspections were conducted nationwide during the same period, with 2,005 cases recorded.

He said Op Tiris 3.0 was implemented to curb smuggling and embezzlement of controlled and subsidised goods.

“These include diesel, petrol RON95, cooking oil in 1-kilogram packets, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), wheat flour and refined white sugar in 1-kilogram packets.

“The ministry will continue to strengthen enforcement measures, including greater cooperation with relevant authorities,” he said today at a meeting with reporters under the Sentuhan Kasin and Consumer Protection Programme.

Also present was Tanjong Kapor MP Ben Chong.

Armizan said that officials from the ministry, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), busted a syndicate involved in the embezzlement of subsidised cooking oil on August 23 following a raid on three buildings in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

In total, 180,200 kilograms of subsidized cooking oil of various brands, vehicles and some documents such as purchase and sales invoices were seized in the raid, he said, adding that one local and two foreigners were arrested to assist in the investigation.

He said the case was being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act, 1961.

He called on those involved in the supply chain and distribution of subsidised cooking oil to act more responsibly and ensure that the subsidised products are also intended for the target group.

“Wholesalers, retailers and repackagers must take responsibility and ensure that there are no leaks,” he said. — Bernama