KOTA KINABALU: Various stakeholders in the supply chain of essential goods in Sabah’s east coast Tawau district have pledged to support the Kita Gempur initiative, which is the Federal Government’s effort to curb manipulation and leakages.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry held an event in the district on Monday (Oct 28) as a follow-up to the initiative launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 19.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said their strategic partners have expressed their commitment through a letter of undertaking to participate in this Kita Gempur effort.
These partners include transporters under the Essential Goods Distribution Programme, cooking oil packaging companies under the Cooking Oil Stabilisation Scheme (COSS), major wholesalers and retailers, as well as fuel station operators in Tawau.
“Today, 99 representatives from KPDN's strategic partners in the district have given their commitment. They consist of 30 transporters, 29 fuel station operators, seven cooking oil packaging companies, 12 local consumer representatives, and 21 major wholesalers and retailers,” he said in a statement.
“Kita Gempur is a government initiative led by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry aimed at involving all parties, including government agencies, industry players, and the public, in efforts to combat the misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods, as well as addressing manipulation in business activities such as online fraud and cartel collusion,” he added.
Armizan said the ministry will expand this movement by securing cooperation from all licence holders for Scheduled Controlled Goods (CSA) under the Supply Control Act 1961.
This includes all transporters appointed as implementers of the Essential Goods Distribution Programme.
“The involvement of transport companies in this mass movement is crucial to ensure the flow of controlled and subsidised goods from the point of source at wholesalers/companies to the point of sale.
“This initiative can reduce the leakage of subsidised and controlled goods, ensuring that public funds channelled through government subsidies reach the targeted groups,” he said.
Armizan said transporters were responsible for providing transportation services for seven controlled and subsidised goods: rice, sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), RON95 petrol, and diesel.
“We urge all parties, including the public, to continue being the eyes and ears of the government by providing information about any forms of misappropriation and smuggling activities so that these detrimental activities can be eradicated,” he said.
