GEORGE TOWN: Those in the low-income group are relieved with the government’s decision to continue with the subsidy for cooking oil in 1kg packet.

       For many, the subsidy that was introduced in 2007, helped them relieve the cost of living given the spate of price increases lately.

       Housewife Jaznira Cita Jaafar,47, said it was a timely move as the people have been suffering from the high cost of living.

       “I think this decision will help the poor a lot. I might find this subsidy useful if I can’t afford to buy oil in bottles (which is not subsidised),” she said.

       The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to continue with the subsidy, she added, would discourage restaurants from increasing prices of food exorbitantly.

       Jaznira also hoped the government would control the price of bottled cooking oil as many households, especially from the M40 group, used it.

       Hotel worker K. Rajan, 45, welcomed the decision to continue subsidy for oil in packets as his family used it.

       “It is something we can afford because my salary as a hotel worker is not high, so I have to control my spending,” he said.

       Ismail Sabri announced that the government was maintaining the subsidy for cooking oil in 1kg packets that was effective from 2007.

       He also said that the temporary subsidy for the 1kg, 2kg, 3kg and 5kg bottled cooking oil introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic would be discontinued from July 1.

       Nasi kandar operator Ajmer Ali Liakat said the subsidy decision was good for the people and business as it would help relieve some pressure.

       “The subsidy won’t force us to increase our food prices at our outlet, and so, in this way, we will not burden our customers,” he said.

       However, Ajmer urged the government to make sure there was enough stock of cooking oil in the market, and to ensure no irresponsible parties manipulated on prices for other basic items.

       Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the government must ensure only the B40 group would get to buy subsidised cooking oil.

       “They must ensure the rich or restaurants do not get the packet oil,” he said.

       Despite this, Mohideen said prices of almost all popular food items such as fried rice, fried mee, fried kuey teow and fried chicken would increase.

       He urged the government to control the price of other basic items so that no one could manipulate the availability of such items in the market.

       In MELAKA, local consumers hoped the subsidy for bottled cooking oil would continue by cutting down on export of palm oil to India and other countries.

       Melaka Consumer and Environment Association chairman K. Murali Krishna said a majority of locals used palm oil as their source of cooking and any surge in prices would affect them financially.

       “My association hopes the government continues the subsidy for the 1kg, 2kg, 3kg and 5kg bottled cooking oil,” he said.

       Murali said Malaysians were already dealing with the hike in prices for vegetables among other essential items and the situation might worsen if the price of bottled cooking oil increased double fold.

       “Malaysia is a producer of palm oil and we should give priority to locals to ensure there is an adequate supply and cheaper palm oil-based cooking oil,” he said.

       Murali said there could be panic buying if subsidy was only given for cooking oil in 1kg packets and the supply wouldn’t be sufficient.

       “Please consider the subsidy across the board and not limit it to only 1kg cooking oil.

       “Eateries may also start increasing prices on their menu as they use a high volume of cooking oil,” he added.

       Housewife Zainab Tamby Ali, 48, said the subsidy for cooking oil must be continued as it was an essential item for households.

       “We have to face the reality: 1kg of cooking oil is not sufficient for my family of five as it could last only for a couple of days.

       “We are already feeling the squeeze of the price hike of consumer items and hopefully, the price of cooking oil will still be affordable to those trying to make ends meet,” she said.

       Machinist Lim Kok Chor, 49, said consumers needed the price of cooking oil to be controlled, regardless of whether it was in packets or bottles.

       Welder Muhd Idhdin Shamsuddin, 25, said his family used 3kg to 5kg cooking oil.

       “A 1kg packet will surely not be enough for a big family and we need the subsidy to be maintained,” he added.