Hilir perak: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hilir Perak police chief ACP Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin stated that 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 noted that two of the detained individuals had previous 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 during a special press conference for Op Khas Helang Hilir Phase 1 at the Hilir Perak IPD.
Bakri mentioned that all the suspects were remanded on July 3 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 remarked.
He further explained that additional investigations will be conducted involving the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to examine legal violations under the relevant act. Meanwhile, Operation Helang Hilir will proceed with Phase 2, targeting individuals identified as having colluded in the rise of 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 concluded.