Oil Palm Fruits: 21 Nabbed On Suspected Theft, Fraud In Hilir Perak

TELUK INTAN, July 4 (Bernama) -- Police arrested 21 individuals in connection with theft and fraud, involving oil palm fruit trading activities, following raids on 14 separate locations in the Hilir Perak district during the Special Operation Helang Hilir Phase 1 on July 2.

Hilir Perak police chief ACP Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said the arrests involved locals, comprising 15 women and six men, aged 20 to 63 years old, who were clerks, palm oil mill supervisors and unlicensed oil palm fruit traders.

He said that out of the total detained, two of them had prior criminal records under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

"We carried out this operation, from 10 am to 5 pm, involving a strength of 18 police officers and 103 personnel from the Hilir Perak district police headquarters (IPD), on 12 licensed palm oil mills, one unlicensed oil palm fruit buyer's premises and one unlicensed oil palm fruit buyer.

"In the same raid, the police also seized 18 items such as business licences from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), licences from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), computer sets, palm oil purchase and sale receipts, and so on," he said when met at a special press conference for Op Khas Helang Hilir Phase 1 at the Hilir Perak IPD here today.

Bakri said all the suspects were remanded on July 3 (yesterday) but were released on police bail, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

"Based on the initial investigation, it is clear that there is a basis for the occurrence of elements of fraud, embezzlement, and document forgery at the involved premises," he said.

He also said further investigations will be conducted involving the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to examine legal violations under the relevant act.

Meanwhile, it was said that this operation will continue with Op Khas Helang Hilir Phase 2, focusing on individuals who have been identified and have colluded in contributing to the increase in oil palm theft cases in the Hilir Perak district.

"This follow-up operation will also be carried out to alleviate the public's anxiety regarding such cases, which are seen as potentially eroding public trust in the police's ability to protect the community," he added.

-- BERNAMA