SANDAKAN – Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has moved to address “confusion” over cooking oil prices, as not all brands received government subsidies.
He said the government had only chosen several companies for the subsidies, which allow them to sell the item for RM29.70 per five-kilogram bottle.
“Don’t be confused. I want the people to know that the other companies not subsidised by the government could increase their selling price to cover the cost of refining the quality of their cooking oil,” he told a press conference yesterday. “But they have to be set at a reasonable price.”
The minister was responding to complaints of the item being sold between RM40 and RM50 per 5kg bottle in some parts of the state.
Earlier, Nanta launched the Maximum Price Scheme Programme in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival 2022 in Bataras Hypermarket, here, yesterday.
He also launched the Sabah Retail Digitalisation Initiative (Redi) and Malaysia Sales Programme at Sejati Walk, Mile 7.
Nanta said the ministry has successfully attracted 90%, or 330, small-scale business operators in Sejati Walk to digitalise their business transactions via Redi, in its effort to make Sejati Walk the first cashless mall in Sabah.
“We want the micro-businesses to enjoy the benefit of the cashless approach,” he said.
“We don’t want them to miss business opportunities because they are left behind in the use of e-wallets, especially after the pandemic in which more people have adopted the use of e-wallets.”
To date, the Redi programme has been conducted in Putrajaya, Hulu Terengganu, Kapit Sarawak, Pulau Pangkor, and Labuan. 3,512 businesses have shifted to the digital medium in the process.
He said the ministry is aiming to encourage 15,000 businesses nationwide to shift to digital transactions, with at least 100 businesses per district by 2025.
In another development, Nanta said while the franchise sector in Sabah is only in its infancy, there is plenty of room for growth and development.
He said this while launching a new Tealive franchise outlet in Hotel Elopura here, yesterday.
“We hope that entrepreneurs would consider venturing into the franchise sector, which has vast potential in Sabah, as it has been proven to be successful in other places, especially in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said
He said the government has been encouraging growth in the sector, noting that it has allocated RM8 million last year to provide grants to kickstart franchises. – The Vibes, May 27, 2022
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