PUTRAJAYA – Strict action including suspending or revoking operating licences will be imposed on subsidised cooking oil packaging manufacturers found to be smuggling the supplies to neighbouring countries.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the action can be taken by the Domestic Trade and Affairs Ministry if there is strong evidence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122).
“If we have evidence, then manufacturers can be prosecuted based on existing laws,” he told a press conference after inspecting and monitoring the price of goods with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu at a supermarket here today.
He was commenting on the recent statement by Special Task Force on Jihad Against Inflation chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa, regarding the possible leakage of subsidised cooking oil to the neighbouring country orchestrated by the manufacturer who made the packaging of the controlled items.
Annuar, who is also the communications and multimedia minister, was reported to have said that the special team’s investigation had found enough evidence related to the leakage of subsidised cooking oil to neighbouring countries.
Nanta said the issue was also discussed in the cabinet meeting today with a proposal for the relevant enforcement agencies to assist the domestic trade ministry to combat the smuggling activities.
“The Domestic Trade and Affairs Ministry expects great cooperation from other enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police and the Armed Forces in this issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Faizal said more than 3,000 youth volunteers registered with the Malaysian Youth Council will monitor any increase in the price of goods in the market.
According to him, the volunteers will report any misconduct of traders through the domestic trade ministry’s six official complaint channels, namely the eAduan portal, 1-800-886-800, WhatsApp at 019-279-4317 and 019-848-8000, [email protected], Ez Adu KPDNHEP and the Enforcement Command Centre 03-8882-6088. – Bernama, July 13, 2022
