A suspected illegal crude palm oil (CPO) storage operation was uncovered after the Malaysian Marine Police Force (PPM) Sabah Region 4 raided a premises in Kampung Nasib Kita, Balung, on Wednesday.
The operation led to the arrest of two individuals believed to be involved in storing CPO without a valid licence.
PPM Sabah Region 4 commander Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amri Abd Rahman said enforcement officers also seized a 38-tonne lorry carrying about 30,000 litres of CPO during the raid.
He said several drums containing crude palm oil were also seized, with the total value of the confiscated items estimated at more than RM400,000.
“Inspection found that the CPO was suspected to have been stored without a valid licence issued by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
“Two individuals present at the premises were detained to assist further investigations,” he said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Regulation 5(1)(d) of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (Licensing) Regulations 2005, under the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Act 1998 (Act 582), for storing palm oil without a valid licence.
Ahmad Amri said PPM Sabah Region 4 would continue strengthening enforcement operations with MPOB and relevant agencies to curb activities that violate regulations and could affect the country’s palm oil industry.
He added that the authorities would not compromise against any parties involved in the storage or trading of palm oil without complying with established legal requirements.
The collaboration between enforcement agencies will continue to be enhanced to ensure the palm oil sector remains protected from unlawful activities, he said.
