Domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the action could be taken under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122).

“If we have evidence, then the manufacturers can be prosecuted under existing laws,” he told a press conference after checking the prices of goods with youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu at a supermarket here.

He was commenting on a recent statement by the special task force on “jihad against inflation” chairman Annuar Musa on the possible leakage of subsidised cooking oil to neighbouring countries orchestrated by the manufacturer who packed the controlled items.

Annuar, who is also the minister of communications and multimedia, was reported to have said that the special team’s investigation had found enough evidence related to the leakage of subsidised cooking oil to neighbouring countries.

Nanta said the issue was also discussed in the Cabinet meeting today with a proposal for the relevant enforcement agencies to assist the ministry to combat the smuggling activities.

“We expect good cooperation from other enforcement agencies such as the police and the armed forces,” he said.

Meanwhile, Faizal said more than 3,000 youth volunteers registered with the Malaysian Youth Council would monitor the prices of goods in the market.