SHAH ALAM, May 7 — The Selangor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has dismantled a syndicate involved in the misappropriation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), operating from unnumbered premises in an oil palm estate in Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, and detained two Indonesian men in their 20s.
Its director Muhamad Hanif Asa’ari said the suspects were caught transferring LPG from subsidised 14-kilogramme cylinders into 50-kg industrial cylinders during the Ops Tiris 4.0 raid conducted with the police at about 3 pm yesterday, following a month-long intelligence operation.
He said in a statement today that initial investigations found the premises had been operating for about a month, supplying LPG to industrial buyers at below-market prices.
“The syndicate obtained subsidised LPG supplies from licensed wholesalers in Banting, Tanjung Sepat and Sungai Pelek to avoid detection by the authorities.
“The ministry is now focusing on identifying the supply chain that enabled the syndicate to obtain large quantities of subsidised LPG for illegal activities,” he said.
Also seized were 250 LPG cylinders of various brands, a platform weighing scale, and other equipment, with the total seizure estimated at RM400,000.
Muhamad Hanif said the operation prevented an estimated RM750,000 in subsidy leakages.
“Investigations are being conducted under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, particularly Section 21, to identify the owner of the premises and the company believed to be involved in the activity.
“The two Indonesian suspects have been taken in for questioning to assist investigations before prosecution proceedings are initiated,” he said. — Bernama
