PAPAR, Dec 16 — Traders have been reminded against making easy money by misappropriating subsidised items provided by the government for the people who are struggling with the rising cost of living.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the ministry would not compromise with traders engaging in such behaviour and aggressively carry out enforcement to stop them using relevant laws such as the Control of Supplies Act, Consumer Protection Act and Price Control and Anti-profiteering Act.
“We don’t want leakages and misappropriations to occur to ensure that subsidies reach the intended target groups,” he said at a media conference after opening a gathering at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St Joseph, here tonight.
Armizan also reminded traders not to sabotage the government’s efforts to help those in need.
According to him, the ministry began conducting an audit exercise in October on subsidised packet cooking oil and found incidents of leakages and misappropriations.
He said some traders were found to have repackaged the subsidised cooking oil in bottles before selling them at higher prices.
Armizan said the audit exercise is ongoing until March next year, adding that the findings will be presented to the government to identify an efficient mechanism to allow the subsidies to reach the intended groups.
“This is one of the things that we cannot compromise on. My advice to those involved, including the appointed companies is to do business ethically. Do not seek profits by taking advantage of the subsidies meant for those in need,” he added.
