The Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has warned traders against selling subsidised packet cooking oil to foreigners, including the Rohingya community.
Its director, Hanif Yusabra Yusuff, said members of the public could provide information to the ministry if they found traders involved in such activities.
He stressed that subsidised packet cooking oil was intended only for Malaysian citizens, while foreigners were not allowed to purchase subsidised goods.
“Everyone knows that subsidised packet cooking oil is only for Malaysians, and foreigners including the Rohingya are not allowed to buy subsidised items.
“So far, we have not received any complaints, but we welcome information from the public if they detect such sales taking place,” he said.
Hanif said the sale of subsidised cooking oil to foreigners should not happen as purchases of the controlled item are monitored through the Electronic Cooking Oil Subsidy Scheme (eCOSS) system.
However, he acknowledged that the eCOSS system has yet to be fully implemented throughout Kelantan, particularly in rural areas affected by internet connectivity issues.
For areas that have not adopted the system, KPDN officers will continue carrying out inspections at retail outlets to monitor supply movements and prevent leakages.
Hanif also reminded traders not to misuse subsidised goods by selling them to foreigners, adding that possession of a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card does not grant eligibility to purchase subsidised items.
KPDN said monitoring efforts would continue to ensure subsidised cooking oil reaches the intended recipients and prevent abuse of government assistance.
