Tough to bar hawkers, restaurants from using subsidised cooking oil, says PM

 

Ismail Sabri Yaakob says the government will be labelled as ‘cruel’ if it cracks down on hawkers and restaurants using cooking oil sold in 1kg polybags even though it is only meant for household use. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says it is difficult to ban restaurants and hawkers from using subsidised cooking oil sold in 1kg polybags, though it is meant for household use only.

Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat the government risked incurring public backlash if it sent enforcement officers from the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry after hawkers who used the subsidised cooking oil for commercial purposes.

“If the enforcers fine them or seize the cooking oil packets from them, we (the government) will be labelled as acting cruelly towards the poor.

“There are many things that the government needs to consider, but believe me, the government will not stay silent. We will do our best for the country,” he said.

He was responding to a question from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Port Dickson) on targeted subsidies during the question-and-answer session this morning.

On July 6, domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the 1kg cooking oil in polybags was only meant for household usage and cannot be purchased by restaurants.

However, he said small businesses will be exempted from this restriction, adding that such cooking oil should not be used on a large scale by restaurants.

In June, the government announced that it will retain the subsidy for cooking oil sold in polybags at RM2.50 each. The actual market price for the item is RM9.

The government said it was necessary to retain the subsidy for the needs of B40 households. - FMT