Kuala lumpur: The government’s recent decision to gazette regulations prohibiting non-Malaysians from purchasing subsidised packaged cooking oil, effective March 1, marks a strategic effort to ensure that government aid reaches its intended beneficiaries more effectively. This move is designed not only to reduce supply leakage, often exploited by unscrupulous parties, but also to stabilize the market supply of this essential commodity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin has expressed full support for this initiative, which he believes could alleviate the issues faced by retailers. He stated, “We at Mydin welcome the government’s announcement because, thus far, packaged cooking oil has been a bane for all retailers due to insufficient supply, forcing us to limit its sale to customers.” Ameer Ali emphasized that the prohibition’s gazetting could resolve misappropriation issues, allowing only eligible buyers to purchase the cooking oil.
Ameer Ali also praised the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme System (eCOSS) for its role in verifying buyer eligibility through government data, thus preventing unauthorized purchases. He highlighted the digital system’s efficiency compared to manual methods and applauded the MADANI Government’s success in addressing various supply chain issues and public needs through previous initiatives.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) had previously announced the regulation, based on the Supply Control Regulations and Section 6 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961. Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali noted that the legal framework would be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Chambers before enforcement, aiming to ensure that subsidies benefit citizens only.
Armizan also mentioned discussions with the Ministry of Finance to integrate the MyKasih platform for purchasing subsidised cooking oil, citing successful implementations of MyKad for other government initiatives as a basis for this integration.
Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA) vice-president Yong Eng Kwang also welcomed the KPDN’s efforts, noting that the prohibition provides legal clarity for retailers to restrict sales to Malaysians. Yong highlighted the ECOSS’s success in tracking supply chains and supported the proposal to integrate it with the MyKasih system, which could standardize the sales process across retail premises.
Private company director M. Mavalavan commended the measure as fair for taxpayers and Malaysians, expressing confidence that strict enforcement would prevent shortages. Housewife Nurul Jannah Mustapha echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the measure would provide social security for the low-income group.
The initiative aligns with the KPDN’s 2026 direction, “KPDN K.I.T.A: Understanding the People’s Aspirations,” aimed at translating policies into actions that benefit the public. Armizan highlighted the importance of ensuring that plans are not just documented but are actively implemented to positively impact people’s lives.
This initiative demonstrates the MADANI Government and KPDN’s commitment to translating policies into tangible actions that improve the welfare of citizens, particularly those in the low-income bracket, while curbing the misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.