BY MOHD ZAHIDAHMAD ZAKI
KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has received a report on the lack of the government subsidised 1kg cooking oil in the market.
KPDNHEP deputy minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said that based on the information obtained, this occurred due to some dishonest action by certain parties.
“We have discovered that there are irresponsible companies rebottling the subsidised oil given to them and selling at a more expensive price to consumers.
“For example, the price of the subsidised oil (1kg) should be RM2.50, but when rebottled, they charge RM15 for 3kg of oil,” he said after a Maximum Family Price Scheme (SHMKM) programme at Stutong Community Market here on Friday.
“There are irresponsible individuals or companies running syndicates selling subsidised oil mixed with used oil.
“The oil that has been used is priced at RM4.50 per kg, while the subsidised oil is only RM2.50 and consumers have to buy at a more expensive price.”
Apart from that, another problem was that the public were also buying the oil, which is for those in the B40 group, resulting in low stock.
“Those who are not eligible, namely those in the M40, T20 and food traders in shops and restaurants, also use the subsidised oil.
“This is because the rising price of palm oil has forced them to use alternative ways to buy subsidised oil.”
Rosol noted that several arrests were made against individuals who ran the syndicates and action was also taken such as suspending their licence.
Also present during the programme were Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng and KPDNHEP enforcement director Azman Adam.
