By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The government's move to gazette regulations prohibiting non-Malaysians from purchasing subsidised packaged cooking oil, effective March 1, is a strategic shift in ensuring government aid reaches the target group more effectively.
The gazetting of the prohibition is not only aimed at reducing the leakage of supply, often manipulated by irresponsible parties, but also as a vital mechanism to ensure the stable supply of this essential item in the market.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin fully supports this initiative and believes it could help solve the problems faced by retailers.
"We at Mydin welcome the government's announcement because, thus far, packaged cooking oil has been a bane for all retailers because there isn't sufficient supply and we have had to limit its sale to customers.
"Not only Mydin, but I feel all traders have been waiting a long time for the government's decision, because with the gazetting of the prohibition, we can overcome problems related to the misappropriation of cooking oil, and only those who are eligible will be able to purchase it,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Ameer Ali also hailed the effectiveness of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme System (eCOSS), which can determine the eligibility of buyers based on government data, thus preventing abuse by unauthorised parties.
He said the digital system makes supermarket operations easier compared to manual methods, with retailers only relying on databases provided by the government.
He also expressed his appreciation to the MADANI Government for effectively resolving various goods supply chain issues and the needs of the people through other mechanisms previously.
This includes targeting electricity and diesel subsidies, floating the prices of chickens and eggs, and targeting the RON95 subsidy, which reflects the government's commitment to help ease the burden on the people.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) had previously announced that it would gazette regulations prohibiting non-Malaysians from purchasing subsidised packaged cooking oil, effective March 1.
Its Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the regulation is based on provisions under the Supply Control Regulations, citing the authority of Section 6 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961
He said the legal framework would be referred to the Attorney General's Chambers before enforcement, with the ban aimed at ensuring that the subsidy benefits only citizens and does not allow foreign nationals to take advantage of it.
Armizan also said that the KPDN is discussing with the Ministry of Finance to integrate the MyKasih platform as a potential method for citizens to purchase subsidised packaged cooking oil.
He noted that the successful use of MyKad for initiatives such as the Rahmah Basic Contribution (SARA) and BUDI MADANI RON 95 serves as a reference for implementing this new purchase option for subsidised cooking oil.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA) vice-president Yong Eng Kwang also welcomed the KPDN's efforts to gazette regulations prohibiting non-Malaysians from purchasing subsidised packaged cooking oil, thus allowing retailers to have a clear legal basis to prevent sales to foreigners.
"The government has allocated a monthly quota of 60 million packets of subsidised oil for local use, and the gazetting of the prohibition provides legal and policy clarity for retailers to sell to Malaysians only.
"By gazetting the prohibition, retailers now have a clear legal basis to prevent sales to foreigners,” said Yong, who is also the chief operating officer of 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Berhad.
According to him, retailers often face difficult situations and disputes at the checkout counters due to the lack of clear written regulations. So, when the gazette is enforced, retail staff only need to comply with existing laws, thus reducing conflicts with customers and helping to curb subsidy leakage.
He also described the ECOSS, initiated by the KPDN, as a success, given that the system enables the supply chains to be comprehensively tracked all the way from the factory to the repacker, wholesaler and retailer.
The MRA, he said, fully supports Armizan's announcement regarding the proposal to integrate the ECOSS with the MyKasih system, as well as the use of the new identity cards equipped with QR Code features, adding that the move could standardise the sales process at all retail premises in a transparent manner.
A private company director, 53-year-old M. Mavalavan, also reacted positively to the move, describing it as a fair measure for all taxpayers and Malaysians.
He believes that with the presence of strict enforcement through the gazette, Malaysians need no longer worry about the shortage of packaged cooking oil supplies, which used to be a frequent occurrence.
"For me, it is a good move, and I strongly support the government's firmness in protecting the rights of Malaysians. Foreigners should not take advantage of subsidised goods meant for locals, more so the B40 group,” he said.
Twenty-nine-year-old housewife Nurul Jannah Mustapha, meanwhile, said that through the implementation, the people need not worry about the shortage of cooking oil supply because strict enforcement can close the door on irresponsible parties.
She added that the gazette measure would also provide social security to the low-income group, and she hopes that the authorities will continue to monitor every business premises.
This initiative, implemented by the government, is clearly in tandem with the aspiration and direction of the KPDN for 2026, namely "KPDN K.I.T.A: Memaknai Aspirasi Rakyat” (KPDN K.I.T.A: Understanding the People's Aspirations).
Referring to Armizan's Facebook post on Jan 21, the KPDN will continue implementing the direction of the KPDN K.I.T.A., which began in 2024, with the 2026 action plan shifted through the determination of three key indicators to ensure the people's aspirations are truly understood and holistically translated.
According to him, the three indicators comprise blueprints (policies, strategic plans and budget), which are then translated to footprints (initiatives, programmes and enforcement), resulting in imprints (performance indicators, price stability and public participation) as tangible benefits that can be felt by the people.
"This approach ensures that every plan that is heard and formulated through various blueprints does not just stop on paper, but is instead expressed through actions that can be seen and impacts that can be felt by the people,” he said.
This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of the MADANI Government and KPDN in translating policies into tangible actions that have a direct impact on the people's welfare.
At the same time, this measure can also curb the leakage and misappropriation of subsidised packaged cooking oil, thus ensuring the benefits of the subsidy are truly enjoyed by the people, especially those in the low-income bracket.
-- BERNAMA
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