Kuala lumpur: Two local men were sentenced to six months' imprisonment after failing to pay a RM120,000 fine each imposed by the Sepang Sessions Court for misappropriating subsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam stated that the two men were convicted at the close of the defence case yesterday. They were charged under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, read together with Regulation 3(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974 and Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution called eight witnesses and tendered 89 exhibits to support the charges against the two accused. The court found that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted both accused, aged 51 and 27.
Azman mentioned that the court also ordered the forfeiture of a lorry and sales proceeds amounting to RM13,127.50 to the Malaysian government. The two men were found in possession of 3,450 kilogrammes of subsidised LPG under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion that they were carrying out wholesale LPG transactions without a valid licence issued by the Controller of Supplies.
Further inspection uncovered full and empty LPG cylinders of various brands, a lorry, delivery documents, and mobile phones believed to be linked to the illegal activity. The offence was committed on Nov 16, 2023, at a premises along Jalan Dengkil-Banting in Kampung Dengkil, Sepang, following a raid by the KPDN Putrajaya Enforcement Division based on intelligence.
During the operation, enforcement officers found the two accused unloading LPG cylinders from a lorry into a storage facility operating without a valid licence or permit. Azman affirmed that KPDN would not compromise with any party involved in the misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods.
Enforcement operations will continue to be intensified to ensure controlled goods are managed and distributed in accordance with the law, and that government subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries. Members of the public with information on the illegal handling of controlled goods are encouraged to lodge complaints through KPDN's official channels, WhatsApp number 019-848 8000, the KPDN e-Aduan portal (http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my), the call centre at 1-800-886-800, and the KPDN Ez ADU mobile application.