DOMESTIC Trade and Costs of Living (KPDN) Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said foreigners were not restricted from buying subsidised cooking oil packets, but they were subject to the same purchase limits as Malaysians. 

He said the ban preventing foreigners from buying subsidised goods had not been implemented but his ministry had received suggestions on the matter. 

“There are recommendations and suggestions, but what then is the mechanism for us to monitor with? If we have to create a system (subsidy) only for packet oil, it is not a cost-effective action for the government and retailers including small grocery stores,” he said after a working visit to Perceptive Logistic Sdn Bhd in Port Klang today. 

He was commenting on whether there was a ban on the purchase of cooking oil packets following the spread of viral videos showing Malaysians castigating traders over sales of subsidised items to foreigners. 

He said KPDN was carrying out an audit from October until March targeting refineries and cooking oil packagers to investigate any leakage or malpractice. 

On another matter, Armizan said he was aware of how costly onions imported from India had become and added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was taking steps to stabilise the prices by increasing imports from other countries. 

He said the rises in price of the food occurred following restrictions imposed by India until March 31 to ensure sufficient domestic supply. 

The media had reported that the prices of onions imported from India had risen by more than 30% from last month. – Bernama, January 9, 2024.