DETAILS on the mechanism and policy for targeted subsidies are expected to be announced after the middle of this year with a workshop already in process, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Fuziah Salleh said.

“One of the things we are looking at is increasing the quota, how to ensure that people who are eligible receive (subsidies). Now we use bulk subsidy, it is sold near the store.

“If a subsidy is targeted, the goods may not be sold in shops anymore,” she said when winding up the Ministry’s Supply Bill 2023 at the Dewan Rakyat today.

She said the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living also takes seriously the issue of subsidised cooking oil leakages, in which pilfering is becoming more sophisticated.

According to Fuziah, the ministry is looking into making its enforcement section a full department, in line with current needs.

The Dewan Rakyat then passed funding of RM1.19 billion for the ministry at the committee stage via a majority voice vote.

The Dewan Rakyat will sit again on Monday. – Bernama, March 16, 2023.