The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is preparing to tighten control over the sale of subsidised RON95 petrol.
Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the ministry is developing a digital monitoring system to prevent leakages of subsidised goods such as cooking oil, sugar, and petrol, particularly when foreign nationals attempt to buy them. The system is still being tested before nationwide rollout.
She explained that while each controlled item faces different challenges, real-world implementation with subsidised cooking oil packets has highlighted the problem, with locals often finding it difficult to buy them due to foreign purchases.
To resolve this, KPDN has introduced the Cooking Oil Price Stabilization Scheme System (eCOSS). Under eCOSS, the entire supply chain is tracked, from wholesalers and retailers to end consumers.
At retail outlets, customers buying subsidised 1kg packets of cooking oil must scan a QR code displayed in the store using their MyKad-linked account. This step records the transaction in the system, confirming citizenship eligibility before the purchase is completed.
Dr Fuziah said this same mechanism will soon be applied to the purchase of RON95 petrol. At fuel stations, Malaysians will need to verify their MyKad before being allowed to buy subsidised fuel.
She stressed that the overall aim is to ensure subsidies are reserved for citizens and not diverted to foreigners, with tailored strategies in place for each controlled item.
Source: Harian Metro
