KUALA LUMPUR – The government is considering introducing a special identification card (ID) to ensure only the deserving groups get to purchase subsidised packet cooking oil.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said packet cooking oil is being sold openly in markets and that the government wants it to only be sold to targeted groups who are eligible to purchase subsidised cooking oil.
“The government (currently) is producing 60 million cooking oil packages per month. However, we often receive complaints that the packets are not available in stores, as they always run out of stock.
“So with targeted subsidies, only those with this special ID and verified as eligible subsidy recipients can purchase the packet cooking oil,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.
She added that the special ID would be useful for targeted group buyers.
“Many have asked why can’t we just use MyKad or MySejahtera ID (to purchase). This is because the needs of every family are different from micro-entrepreneurs.
“If we were to limit the purchase between 3kg and 5kg (per sale), this would affect the entrepreneurs.
“Moreover, those in the top 20 income group (T20) are not eligible to receive cooking oil subsidies. This is why we need a different ID card.”
Fuziah, on September 3, said the ministry is in the process of updating its database of micro-entrepreneurs, and looking to introduce a subsidy programme targeting packet cooking oil by next year. – October 2, 2023