15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Subsidy leak crackdown: 5 LPG wholesalers in Johor under investigation
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has taken enforcement action against five liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) wholesalers suspected of breaching supply control regulations under Ops Gasak 2025.
All five premises, located in Johor Baru and Kulai, were raided yesterday by a 23-member enforcement team during simultaneous inspections under the ministry's anti-leakage and manipulation campaign, Kita Gempur.
The Kita Gempur initiative, launched last year by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, aims to combat unethical business practices involving the leakage of controlled and subsidised goods.
Johor Domestic Trade director Lisa Saslinda Pornomo said investigations revealed that the wholesalers had failed to maintain or update critical sales and purchase records of subsidised LPG — a violation under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
"Officers seized laptops and documents, including invoices, delivery orders, and stock books from all five wholesalers for further investigation," she said in a statement today.
Five cases were opened and notices issued under Section 8 of the Act, with all companies facing possible prosecution.
Under the Act, individuals found guilty may be fined up to RM1 million, jailed for up to three years, or both.
Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties of up to RM3 million or five years' imprisonment.
Companies found guilty may be fined up to RM2 million for a first offence, and RM5 million for subsequent offences.
Ops Gasak, which began on May 1, aims to dismantle syndicates abusing subsidised LPG.
As of May 14, the ministry has inspected 98 premises across Johor, including laundromats, restaurants, and wholesalers.
Six cases have been recorded: three in Johor Baru, two in Kulai, and one in Segamat.
Lisa said enforcement would be swift and uncompromising to protect public interest and prevent leakages of government-subsidised goods.
She also urged the public to report any suspicious activity involving subsidised goods via WhatsApp (019-848 8000), the e-Aduan portal (e-aduan@ the ministry's call centre (1-800-886-800), or the Ez ADU mobile app.
