Latest news with #JohorDomesticTradeandCostofLivingMinistry
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Gassy business: Five caught decanting LPG, RM280,000 worth of gas, equipment seized
JOHOR BARU: A clandestine cooking gas decanting operation was busted yesterday when officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry raided a storage facility in Ulu Tiram here. Five men, aged between 30 and 40, believed to be members of a syndicate, were detained during the joint operation led by enforcement officers from the ministry's Putrajaya and Johor branches following weeks of surveillance. The enforcement team found 1,357 gas cylinders and a lorry tanker suspected of containing subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) valued at nearly RM280,000. Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the syndicate members had illegally transferred subsidised LPG from 14kg cylinders into the tanker, a practice known as decanting. "The illicit activity violates the law, besides endangering lives and disrupting the subsidised fuel distribution system meant to benefit the public," she said in a statement today. The seized items included decanting equipment and the lorry tanker. The case was investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, and first-time offenders faced fines of up to RM1 million or three years' jail upon conviction. Repeat offenders might face up to RM3 million in fines or five years' jail. Companies could be fined up to RM2 million and RM5 million for subsequent offences. Lisa said the ministry was also probing into the distribution chain of the seized LPG, including the origins of the supply to identify parties involved in the illegal trade. Members of the public with information on LPG misappropriation are urged to report through the ministry's official channels, which included WhatsApp (019-8488000), e-Aduan portal (e-aduan@ hotline (1-800-886-800) or the Ez ADU smartphone application.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Domestic Trade Ministry seizes over 1,300 LPG cylinders in Ulu Tiram raid
JOHOR BARU: A total of 1,357 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders were seized from a storage facility in Ulu Tiram suspected of being involved in illegal decanting activities. Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the culprits are believed to have sold the LPG on the black market. 'Our officers found a tanker lorry believed to be filled with LPG, along with equipment used to transfer gas from domestic cylinders into the vehicle. 'Preliminary investigations suggest that the subsidised gas was being channelled into the lorry for unauthorised resale,' she told a press conference here on Tuesday (July 29). She said the raid was carried out by the ministry's enforcement teams from Putrajaya and Johor. 'We detained five foreign men in their 30s and 40s, believed to be workers at the facility, to assist in investigations. 'The total value of the gas cylinders seized is estimated at RM280,000,' she added. Lilis Saslinda said the case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. 'Individuals convicted under the Act can face a maximum fine of RM1mil or up to three years' jail, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to RM3mil or face five years' imprisonment. 'For companies, the offence carries a fine of up to RM2mil, and up to RM5mil for subsequent offences,' she added. Investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the LPG and identify anyone else involved in the illegal supply chain.
New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
No excuse for unjustified price hikes under SST, Johor traders warned
JOHOR BARU: Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry launched an enforcement operation to curb profiteering following the implementation of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST). The operation codenamed Op Kesan 4.0, is a statewide enforcement blitz, which took effect early this month. State ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said enforcement officers had conducted checks on 48 business premises involving 235 items, which was carried out under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. During a walkabout at a supermarket in Larkin Junction here today, Lilis said the 48 premises were issued price information verification notices to obtain detailed data on cost, pricing, and profit margins. "The ministry also received four complaints related to suspected profiteering under the operation, and investigations are ongoing. "The operations main focus is to ensure that businesses do not exploit SST adjustments as a blanket excuse to increase prices without justification," she said in a statement today. The enforcement operation will also monitor four key elements, which includes items and services affected by SST changes, businesses above the SST registration threshold, price movement timelines aligned with SST enforcement dates, and profit margins to detect unreasonable mark-ups. Lilis warned that offenders found guilty of profiteering can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, or both. Companies face fines of up to RM500,000. She urged businesses to assess the four elements before adjusting prices or charges and reminded the public to report suspicious hikes through official channels, including the Ez ADU app, WhatsApp, and the KPDN e-complaint portal.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Op Gasak: Authorities bust syndicate misusing subsidised LPG
KLUANG: The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry foiled a suspected illegal decanting operation involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) during a raid at a storage facility in Simpang Renggam today. The operation, conducted under Op Gasak, followed days of intelligence gathering and surveillance. Its director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said officers discovered numerous LPG cylinders and hose connectors at the premises, believed to have been used to siphon subsidised gas from 14kg domestic cylinders into larger 50kg tanks intended for industrial use. "This unauthorised activity, known as decanting, is a serious offence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961. "A total of 247 LPG cylinders, both filled and empty, of various brands and sizes, along with equipment, were seized," she said in a statement today. The estimated value of the seizure is RM61,000, she said. She said durther investigations are ongoing to trace the supply chain and identify the individuals or companies involved, including the origin of the LPG and its distribution network. "If convicted, individuals face a maximum fine of RM1 million, up to three years' imprisonment, or both, while repeat offenders risk fines of up to RM3 million or five years' jail. "Companies may be fined up to RM2 million, and up to RM5 million for subsequent offences," she said. She said stern action would be taken against any syndicate found misusing subsidised controlled goods. The public is urged to report suspicious activities via the ministry's WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the e-aduan portal at e-aduan@ or the call centre at 1-800-886-800.
New Straits Times
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.
