KUALA LUMPUR – Micro and small-scale street vendors purchasing subsidised packeted cooking oil meant for low-income households will not be punished, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
He said the government is offering leeway to these businesses, noting that the majority of these traders are individuals that come from the B40 income category who usually sell their products at affordable prices.
Salahuddin added that his ministry is aware that purchasing subsidised cooking oils will also help the traders ensure they do not increase the prices of the items sold.
“In this regard, the ministry has implemented a balanced enforcement system in which we give flexibility for the use of subsidised packeted cooking oil by small traders, and no action will be taken (against them),” he said in a parliamentary written reply.
“This move will also help ensure prices of cooked food do not increase, subsequently causing a burden to buyers.”
Salahuddin however said this relaxation of existing conditions will not be implemented as a long-term measure, as it would result in competition between consumers and traders.
As such, he said the ministry is currently reviewing the existing quota of packeted subsidised cooking oil in the market and possibly introducing a special quota for small traders and micro industries.
Salahuddin was responding to a question from Bakri Jamaluddin (Tangga Batu-PN) on whether the government has any plans to provide targeted subsidies on cooking oil for roadside vendors, the majority of whom are from the B40 category.
Previously, cooking oil in 1kg polybag packages was only allowed to be sold to B40 individuals at RM2.50 per packet, with the rest of the amount subsidised by the government.
This policy has been in place since June 2007. – The Vibes, March 17, 2023
