PAC To Scrutinise Cooking Oil Subsidy, Price Control Management - Mas Ermieyati

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has begun proceedings to scrutinise the management of price control measures and cooking oil subsidy under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said that the two-day proceedings, which started yesterday, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiatives, which have a direct impact on the public and government expenditure.

“The committee will also assess the cooking oil supply chain by engaging with key stakeholders, including the Malayan Edible Oil Manufacturers’ Association (MEOMA), as well as representatives from refineries and packaging companies. In addition, site visits to relevant factories will be conducted,” she said at a press conference at the Parliament building, today.

She stressed that the committee remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of public funds across all areas of government administration.

Mas Ermieyati added that, among those summoned to testify were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar; Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) representative Muhyidin Aziz @ Saari; and Home Ministry (KDN) deputy secretary-general (Policy and Control) Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin, who attended on behalf of KDN secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman.

She said that the committee had also received a special briefing on government procurement from Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, last Monday (Aug 4).

The briefing, she explained, was intended to help PAC members better understand the structure and practices of government procurement, involving various agencies, in fulfilling the committee’s oversight responsibilities.

“The session provided the PAC with a comprehensive overview of procurement methods, the government’s procurement process, the role of the approving authorities, and the implementation of selected pre-qualified open tenders,” she added.

-- BERNAMA