PHA Urges Vigilance Over Misuse Of Subsidised Cooking Oil In Hindu Rituals 

GEORGE TOWN, June 26 (Bernama) -- Penang Hindu Association (PHA) is urging consumers to always check the prices and the source of prayer oil before buying them, in an effort to prevent the misuse of subsidised cooking oil. 

In a statement, PHA president Datuk P.Murugiah alleged that most of the oil used in Hindu praying rituals and temples is actually diverted from subsidised stock that are meant for low-income households and being misused for religious purposes.

"We found out that most of the “prayer oil” sold in the state, especially in temple supply stores—was actually repackaged subsidised cooking oil. Originally priced at RM2.50 per kilogramme (kg) in the open market, it now fetches up to RM8.20 per litre in the form of ritual-use oil.

"In a recent price survey carried out by PHA, a particular prayer oil brand is listed at RM8.20 per litre, which is a mind-blowing 228 per cent profit from the actual subsidised price and some brands of prayer oild cost even more," he said in statement today.

He said this practice ,if left unchecked , will defeat the purpose of the subsidy meant for the B40 group but when this oil is rerouted into religious retail at such inflated prices, the benefit is lost—and someone else pockets the profit.

Murugiah said the issue is not a new problem and just two years ago in 2023, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) caught a trader repackaging subsidised cooking oil in different bottles and selling them as prayer oil at high prices.

He said some suppliers would even resort to using colour dyes for the oils in order to distract the authorities and PHA has now called on KPDN to tighten its enforcement and conduct frequent spot checks at retail outlets, especially those selling religious paraphernalia.

“We urge the Ministry to compel prayer oil traders to declare the source of their products and list the retail price clearly on the packaging.This is in line with labelling laws and will ensure consumers are not misled," he said.

He said the association also supports a full nationwide rollout of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme System (eCOSS), which is designed to track the supply of subsidised oil from refinery to retail.

He believes eCOSS can plug the loopholes currently exploited by rogue suppliers and he also urged consumers to stay alert and check the source of the oil they buy for prayer use.

Meanwhile, Penang KPDN director S. Jegan, when contacted by Bernama, said the department consistently monitors all activities involving the use of subsidised cooking oil to prevent misuse or diversion.

He said the monitoring efforts are not limited to supply issues but also cover all related activities, including the use of cooking oil in religious rituals such as temple offerings by Hindu devotees, as mentioned by the Penang Hindu Association (PHA).

According to him, while no official complaints have been received so far on the matter, the department continues to carry out its duties, including those concerning the misuse of subsidised goods.

“KPDN will not hesitate to take action against any party found involved in the misappropriation of subsidised items, and we urge anyone with information regarding such misuse to report it to us. This will help facilitate prompt enforcement and, at the same time, prevent unnecessary panic or public concern that could lead to disharmony,” he said.

-- BERNAMA