BACHOK: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will coordinate action to curb misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil together with all enforcement agencies concerned.
Ministry enforcement director Azman Adam said a discussion had been held with the relevant agencies recently as part of an ongoing effort to address the issue.
"It is not fair if subsidies (given) by Malaysia are abused and enjoyed by the people of other countries.
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"For subsidised cooking oil, we have 22 manufacturers, 305 licensed packers, 4,151 wholesalers and over 30,000 retailers.
"We will conduct inspections at all levels (of the production chain) to detect any offences,” he told a press conference after visiting a cooking oil packaging plant in Beris Kubor Besar here on Tuesday (July 5).
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Azman said high demand and significant price differences were among the main factors contributing to the leakage in the supply of subsidised cooking oil to neighbouring countries such as Thailand.
Apart from border control, he said the ministry would also focus on efforts to prevent abuse of subsidised cooking oil for profit by irresponsible parties. – Bernama
