Mixed reaction to special ID requirement for buying packet cooking oil

SIBU: The government’s decision to require individuals to possess a special identification card in order to buy packet cooking oil has received mixed responses from the public.

“This policy will greatly affect the B40 category as the cost of cooking oil will increase several folds,” opined an English tutor, Albert Tay, 57.

According to Tay, it is understandable that most of this cooking oil is being used by small vendors as it is the lowest cost option.

“Without this option, vendors will be forced to use higher-cost oil. The increment will hence be passed on to the consumers,” he said.

This new policy, he said, is also affecting him as a consumer.

“I will have to buy more expensive oil and its products. It further decreases my buying power,” he lamented.

Housewife Ervinna Riena Tommy, 40, concurred with Tay.

“We have been using packet cooking oil for countless years. To disallow people like us from buying them will pose a big burden,” she said.

Ervinna added that if the news report is anything to go by, she would be ‘forced’ to buy the more expensive bottle type.

“I hope the government will reconsider the decision. With the rising cost of goods, we cannot afford to have an extra burden,” she appealed.

A 27-year-old research assistant, Claudia Lenya Jana, finds the move burdensome.

“Why do we need an ID just to buy cooking oil? If it is to prevent non-Malaysians from buying subsidised cooking oil, then I think by show your MyKad is enough. No need for a special ID,” she said.

Meanwhile, for Angeline Cynthia Antai, 27, she said if the government is keen to implement such a move, it needs to consider every aspect and make sure it will benefit all Malaysians. 

“This proposed measure can help us to ensure that subsidised cooking oil is exclusively used by Malaysians and preventing exploitation for commercial purposes or by non-eligible individuals, especially non-Malaysian (warga asing),” she said.

It was reported that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will introduce a subsidy programme targeting packet cooking oil in stages next year.

Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said it would not only benefit the B40 group but also the M40 group and micro-entrepreneurs, such as banana fritter, kuih-muih, keropok lekor, and ayam gunting sellers.

She said every month, a total of 60,000 metric tons of subsidised cooking oil is provided by the government for the target group.

However, the item is usually unavailable at most retail outlets.

This prompted the ministry to implement new measures to ensure that only the targeted group can buy packet cooking oil.