07/07/2022 (The Star Online), Klang - The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will intensify enforcement to curb the smuggling and misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil to neighbouring countries.

Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi admitted that the crime was rampant in states bordering neighbouring countries including Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak due to the high price of the commodity on the global market.

At a press conference after visiting the Carsome Certified Lab here yesterday, he said that since January up until last Tuesday, authorities have seized RM1.5mil worth of goods in the four states. It involved 61 cases.

Nanta said the packaged oil priced at RM2.50 per kg in Malaysia is sold at a much higher price in countries like Thailand (RM12.60 per kg) and Singapore (RM12.33 per kg).“In the past, the smuggling was not significant because the price difference between subsidised cooking oil and non-subsidised oil was small due to the low market price of crude palm oil (CPO).

“However, the CPO price has risen between RM4,000 and RM5,000 per tonne, thus fuelling more smuggling incidents,” he said.

Nanta said enforcement cooperation in the land and sea border areas between the police, army and customs was needed to thwart attempts to smuggle subsidised goods. — Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/07/07/crackdown-on-smuggling-of-cooking-oil-to-intensify