Although inflation is on the rise, the government is doing everything in its power to assist us by establishing price controls and offering subsidies for specific goods. There are many, though, who will attempt to profit from this and exploit it.
In a report by Malay Mail, according to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the process for online sales of restricted and subsidised items would be tightened in order to stop leaks and anomalies.
On 13 July, Nanta tweeted that the government is considering multiple ways to impose stricter online sales policies for restricted and subsidised goods.
A total of 38 adverts for the sale of cooking oil packets and bottles on two significant well-known e-commerce platforms have since been ordered down, he claimed, sharing the crackdown operations through Twitter threads.
A total of 18 locations that listed their addresses on e-commerce platforms were also raided between 1 July and 12 July. Upon closer inspection, cooking oil packets and bottles were found.
He claims that the ministry seized 41 units of 500 grams, 1 kg, 2 kg, and 3 kg bottles of subsidised cooking oil, totaling 255 kilogrammes (kg), with an estimated worth of RM 1,495.50.
According to Nanta, two cases were dealt with in accordance with Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and Regulation 3 (1) of the Control of Supply Regulations 1974, respectively. He also emphasised that both incidents are being looked into legally and by the authority of the ministry.
Section 20(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 stated that:
Removal of controlled articles from business premises and
storage of controlled articles in premises other than premises
specified in the licence, and dealing in controlled articles
otherwise than in normal course of business.
While Regulation 3 (1) of the Control of Supply Regulations 1974 stated that:
The present Regulations regard the trade as well as the manufacture of certain products listed out in the Schedule attached, which covers wheat flour, sugar, fertilizer, cooking oil and bread.
No person shall deal by wholesale or retail in such articles except under and in accordance with a licence to be issued by the Controller of Supplies.
Nanta also posted images showing the ministry’s crackdown on sales of regulated and subsidised commodities, as well as pictures of cooking oil adverts that were removed from e-commerce sites.
