KUCHING (June 25): The use of smartphone applications to record purchases of controlled goods has been proposed as one of the measures to monitor the distribution of subsidised goods, according to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said the government is still looking into the best possible method and several recommendations were given to prevent leakage in the wholesale purchase of goods, including cooking oil in 1kg polybags in the market.

“One person is only allowed to buy two packets [of cooking oil in polybags] but some consumers, after making their purchase, will go to another store and buy some more. We are aware that this is happening.

"With the smartphone application, we may be able to track and prevent further purchases, and this applies not only to cooking oil but other subsidised items as well,” he said after visiting a cooking oil packaging plant here on Saturday (June 25).

In warning industry players not to get involved in misappropriation of subsidised and controlled goods, Nanta said he would not hesitate to suspend their company licences if they are found guilty.

Also present during the visit were the ministry's (KPDNHEP) Sarawak branch deputy director Peter J Berinus Agang and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin.

Meanwhile, at a separate press conference, Nanta said KPDNHEP's role in determining the ceiling price for chicken in the market is focused on enforcement in ensuring that traders adhere to the stipulated ceiling price.

He said an engagement session was held on Saturday with poultry industry players as well as senior officials of KPDNHEP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries to discuss the issue.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the price of chicken in the market would not be floated so as not to burden the people.

Meanwhile, in a media statement on Saturday, Nanta informed that no complaints or offences were recorded in Sarawak on hoarding of controlled items during the 2022 Anti-Sorok campaign held from January to June 18 this year.

He added that so far, the supply of packaged cooking oil in the state is sufficient and the shortage of supply on some premises was only temporary.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/smartphone-applications-among-proposed-measures-monitor-purchase-subsidised-goods-%E2%80%94-minister