Ministry sec-gen says ‘not a suspect’ in cooking oil probe

 

Local cooking oil is subsidised by the government and is a controlled item on the price control list.

PETALING JAYA: The civil service head of the domestic trade and cost of living ministry said he was not a suspect in an investigation into alleged overspending on subsidised cooking oil last year, but had been called in to explain the process.

The ministry’s secretary-general, Azman Yusof, said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had called him in to explain the process related to the distribution of subsidised cooking oil and he was not under investigation.

Azman was responding to reports that alleged he had spent more than RM9 million in subsidised cooking oil which exceeded the allowed quota. He was also alleged to have axed quotas, and separately, approved cooking oil quotas to two companies with the same registered address.

The reports quoted an MACC source, according to Berita Harian.

Azman Yusof.

Azman, speaking in Ipoh, said he approved the additional quotas to ensure there was enough supply in the market, as was allowed under the law and in accordance with his power as secretary-general of the ministry.

“There were no decisions made considered to be unlawful as it followed the due process under the law,” he said.

Azman said this issue was likely brought to the fore after new orders given to officers at his ministry related to SOPs were thought to be unsuitable. He said he would cooperate with the police and MACC in their investigation.

Earlier this month, the son of opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin and a businessman were charged with nine offences related to the purported sale of subsidised cooking oil.

Faisal Hamzah and Azizul Abdul Halim were reported to be directors of Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd, a wholesale cooking oil licence holder. They pleaded not guilty. - FMT