08/01/2008 (The Star Online), Johor Bahru - Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Department officers are stationed at the Causeway and Second Link to prevent Singaporeans from taking out palm oil-based cooking oil from the country.

Its enforcement chief Fahmi Kassim said the officers had been stationed at the two entry points since last Friday.

“So far we have not detected Singaporeans buying the oil which is meant for local consumption,” he said, adding that they were instead purchasing corn, sunflower and vegetables oils.

“We have also sent out letters to all hypermarkets statewide notifying them to put up signs that the cooking oil is only for local consumers,” he said.

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the authorities would increase their enforcement to check smuggling but added that some form of leakages or the siphoning of supplies through the country’s borders could still occur.

“The price difference of our cooking oil and in neighbouring countries is much greater now than before, so there is bound to be demand for Malaysian cooking oil from outsiders,” he said after welcoming India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony to the Defence Ministry here yesterday.

Najib said the public should also not be burdened by price increases of cooking oil.