PUTRAJAYA: The government has agreed to extend the Cooking Oil Price Control Mechanism programme until March next year at a cost of RM150mil, says the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
In a statement, the ministry said the matter was agreed to during a special meeting of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday.
On July 27, the government set the maximum retail price for pure palm cooking oil in bottled packaging. Hence by Aug 1, consumers were able to buy cooking oil at below RM30 for a 5kg bottle.
The maximum price for a 5kg bottle of pure cooking palm oil is set at RM29.70; 1kg bottle (RM6.70); 2kg bottle (RM12.70); and 3kg bottle (RM18.70).
Meanwhile, the ministry said it was also agreed at the meeting that the Malaysian Family Sales Programme (PJKM) would be implemented in the 222 parliamentary constituencies until March at a cost of RM100mil.
It also decided to monitor the 41 initiatives, with an allocation of RM14.32bil approved under the Budget 2022, and report its findings directly to NACCOL.
“The direct monitoring will ensure all government agencies implement this initiative immediately as this large allocation needs to be (something) tangible for the people,” the statement said.
The ministry also announced that the shortage of foreign labour in sectors related to food production would be discussed in the Cabinet meeting today.
According to the statement, a NACCOL Technical Committee meeting chaired by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad would be held to follow up, refine and coordinate other proposals that had been tabled in the NACCOL special meeting.
The special meeting also discussed the whole government approach across ministries in coordinating new initiatives to address livelihood issues.
It was held as a continuation of the Executive Level Meetings on Feb 23, July 15 and Oct 15.
A total of eight papers were presented at the NACCOL meeting by various agencies covering macroeconomic perspectives, the logistics sector, housing industry, consumer enforcement and advocacy, as well as labour-related issues. — Bernama