Authorities have raided a food processing factory in Kedah after uncovering more than 53 tonnes of wheat flour believed to have been used in the production of animal feed without proper authorisation.
The operation was carried out at a factory located in the Kuala Ketil Industrial Area following intelligence gathered by enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
Kedah KPDN director Muhammad Nizam Jamaludin said the raid took place at approximately 4.30pm and involved a team of four enforcement officers from the ministry’s Baling branch.
Initial inspections at the premises uncovered a substantial quantity of wheat flour believed to be used as a key ingredient in animal feed manufacturing activities conducted by the company.
During the operation, a 25-year-old man who identified himself as the factory manager was unable to provide a valid permit or written approval from the Controller of Supplies authorising the storage of the controlled item.
As a result, enforcement officers seized a total of 53,325 kilogrammes of wheat flour for further investigation.
The seized goods are estimated to be worth RM100,251.
Authorities are investigating the case under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which governs the storage and handling of controlled goods.
Under the law, individuals convicted of a first offence may face a fine of up to RM1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders could face fines of up to RM3 million and jail terms of up to five years.
For companies and corporations, penalties can reach RM2 million for a first offence and up to RM5 million for subsequent violations.
Muhammad Nizam stressed that the ministry would not tolerate any attempts to abuse or misappropriate controlled goods and subsidies intended for the public.
“Any individual or syndicate attempting to exploit national subsidies is betraying the interests of both the people and the country. Strict enforcement action will be taken without compromise,” he said.
The ministry also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities involving controlled goods through its various complaint channels to assist enforcement efforts.
The case remains under investigation.
