KUALA LUMPUR: There is no shortage of the subsidised cooking oil packet in the market, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, however, did not deny that there were some areas facing a shortage of the polybag cooking oil supply.
"The quota of 60,000 metric tons of cooking oil supplied every month is enough for 8.6 million B40 category households.
"Should there be a shortage of the subsidised cooking oil, officers will be instructed to go to the ground to check on the matter," he said in reply to a question raised by Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah).
Cha asked if the government was ready to increase the quota of subsidised cooking oil in packets in the local retail market to ensure sufficient supply.
Meanwhile, Salahuddin said the ministry could not take stern action against small traders, who also bought polybag cooking oil.
"We cannot take stern action against small traders and small and medium-sized traders who are also in the recovering stage following the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.
He said enforcement is being carried out consistently to ensure no leakage in the supply of packet cooking oil.
He said a total of 2,898 cases related to cooking oil had been investigated with 13 cases prosecuted in court.