Penang KPDNHEP clamps down on company repackaging subsidised cooking oil

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) clamped down on a company found repackaging subsidised cooking oil to make extra profit here yesterday.

State KPDNHEP director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar said during the raid, the company was caught transferring subsidised cooking oil from the original one kilogramme (kg) packs into two and five kg bottles of other brands for the Penang market.

“They used subsidised cooking oil bought at RM2.50 a packet and repackaged them in two and five kg bottles.

“It is an irresponsible act, because the subsidy is borne by the government for the B40 target group.

“We don’t control the prices of cooking oil in two and five kg packs. The global prices of cooking oil have now gone up, and they are taking the easy way to make a profit,’’ he said when met by reporters after conducting the raid at the premises in Simpang Ampat.

He said the company, which had been operating for three years, was also found to be packaging curry powder and spices using the halal logo without authorisation.

“Further investigations will also be conducted to determine if the company was using the subsidised cooking oil for Hindu prayer rituals. The bottles for the rituals were also found on the premises,’’ he said.

Mohd Ridzuan said 7,771 empty subsidised cooking oil plastic packets, 617 cooking oil bottles and 420 packets of spices suspected of having unauthorised halal logos worth a total of RM27,000 were seized.

He said two individuals were also nabbed for the misappropriation and misuse of subsidised cooking oil under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.

Meanwhile, the penalty for using the halal logo without permission would be investigated Article 4 (1) (a) Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, he added.

-- BERNAMA