SEBERANG PRAI: Officers from the Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry raided a premises here, which is believed to have been used as a hub to sell liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) without a licence for the past 22 years.
A total of 11 LPG cylinders worth more than RM1,100 were seized.
According to Buletin TV3, surveillance by enforcement officers found that despite previous raids by authorities, some people have continued to sell the controlled product from the location, as well as obtaining supplies from unlicensed suppliers.
The operation was led by enforcement officer Mohd Naim Jan, who was assisted by two policemen and five other members of the KPDN Enforcement Division.
"The trader's justification was completely illogical when he claimed ignorance of the requirements for a sales licence to sell LPG.
"He then later claimed to have applied for a licence and was awaiting permission from the authorities," he said.
Naim added that besides selling LPG without a licence, the trader was also suspected of selling the LPG for more than the fixed price of RM26.60 per 14kg cylinder.
The LPG gas sold was suspected to be obtained from unregistered suppliers because the trader had failed to provide official receipts for his purchases.
The enforcement officers had also summoned the owner of the property in question to appear at the ministry's headquarters for further action.
The premises owner is also liable to proceedings under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, with a fine of up to RM1 million in fine, three years imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
