Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry prepared to be investigated regarding subsidised cooking oil overpayment

IPOH - The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is prepared to give its cooperation to any parties regarding the overpayment claims of RM9 million on subsidised cooking oil.

Its secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said last year he was called to testify by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding the issue.

He said the statement given was to explain to the MACC regarding the process related to the distribution of subsidised cooking oil.

“I’m prepared to provide any information if needed. I will give my best support towards Bukit Aman and they are helping me investigate cases related to cooking oil and diesel smuggling.

“I myself am chairing the leakage committee that the prime minister insisted on combating and I will take up that challenge and do my best,” he told reporters after the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s Iftar Ceremony With Media at Zaha Places here on Saturday.

He said such when answering the news portal report that the ministry had spent more for subsidised cooking oil last year causing a formal investigation to be done.

Previously in a different press conference Azman explained the overpayment of RM9 million had never happened as claimed in the news portal.

On the other hand, the subsidy payment was made below the actual amount according to the 60,000 metric tonnes quota of subsidised cooking oil.

He explained he monitored the distribution of subsidised cooking oil in the market before subsidy payments are made.

“We’re in control of the subsidy payments. Based on last year’s performance, it (the payment) did not directly exceed the value of 60,000 metric tonnes. So there is no overpayment as claimed.

“We must see that there is a slight difference between theoretical thinking and practicality. Practicality has a slightly different implementation,” he said during the Maximum Price Implementation Scheme Friendly Review Session for the Aidilfitri holiday season at a supermarket here.

Also present was Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail.