Almost 35,000 subsidised goods inspections conducted in Perak

THE Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s enforcement team has launched various operations to ensure the issue of diversion and leakages of subsidised goods, such as diesel and cooking oil, are curbed, a state exco member says.

Perak domestic trade, cooperatives, consumer affairs and Chinese new villages committee chairman Woo Kah Leong said a total of 34,580 inspections had been carried out up to May this year, with 176 cases flagged.

He said 22 cases involved diesel-controlled goods and 10 cases involving cooking oil.

“A total of 405,300 litres of subsidised diesel was seized from last year until May this year.

“From January until May this year, a total of 119,494 litres of subsidised diesel had been confiscated with a value of RM256,912,” said Woo.

“As for subsidised cooking oil, the confiscated value stood at RM7,552.60 from January until June this year.

“Thus we can conclude that there is much more leakage in diesel compared to cooking oil,” he said when replying to a question from Khalil Yahaya (PN-Kubu Gajah) during the Perak State Assembly sitting in Ipoh on Tuesday (July 9).

Khalil had asked which item between the two had more leakage, and the comparison of purchases between the B40 group and foreigners in the state (Myanmar, Bangladeshi, Rohingya and others).

He also asked about the government’s action against traders who violated the procedure involving the subsidised goods.

Woo said there was no official data on the amounts purchased by the B40 group and foreigners because shops were not required to record information of a customer’s details.

“But I would like to draw attention to the fact that the policy now is the same as the previous one where the sale of 1kg cooking oil in a polybag is limited to three units per transaction per day for each customer.

“Therefore, a person regardless of nationality can only buy a maximum of three units.

“This policy is effective under the Control Regulations Supply 1974, and has been implemented since January 2021.” the exco added.

As for penalties against offenders, Woo said action would be taken under the Supply Control Act 1961.

“For individuals, if convicted of an offence, they can be fined not more than RM1mil or imprisoned not exceeding three years or both.

“In the case of companies, a fine not exceeding RM3mil and imprisonment not exceeding five years or both (may be imposed),” he added.