ALOR SETAR: The use of batch numbers on each cooking oil packet is one of the mechanisms being considered by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to track the distribution chain of subsidised cooking oil.
Deputy Minister Dr Fuziah Salleh said it is part of efforts to curb leakage at the retail, wholesale and packing levels, and to identify those responsible for the leakage.
“If there is a batch number on each packet of cooking oil, we would be able to trace the source of the leakage.
“This is just a suggestion and has not been implemented but some companies have already started using it.
“Perhaps we can try it out and study it more thoroughly. This could be the solution to the cooking oil leakage,” she said at a press conference yesterday, Bernama reported.
Earlier, she conducted checks at two chicken processing factories and three retail premises in the Kota Setar district.
Fuziah said that under the Kita Gempur operation in Kedah, the ministry also inspected two chicken processing factories in Kepala Batas found to be storing subsidised liquid petroleum gas.
“Seventy-nine subsidised LPG cylinders were being used. All the cylinders were confiscated, with the estimated value of the seizure being almost RM9,750.
“Additionally, we also confiscated 29 LPG cylinders at a retail store in Pantai Johor here, with an estimated value of RM771.
“All these cases are being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961,” she said.
The Kita Gempur initiative is a strategic government effort aimed at building a mass movement to address issues of manipulation in business activities and leakage involving controlled and subsidised goods.
