Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said packing companies were previously free to deliver subsidised cooking oil packets as they wished.

“A directive has been issued to all state directors to hold discussions with the companies and determine which supermarkets and sundry shops will receive deliveries. We will hand over lists (of locations) to the packing companies according to need,” he said after a town hall session here today.

Armizan said the decision was made after an audit was carried out by the ministry.

“If they do not want to comply with the ministry’s directive, we will take away their quotas. It won’t be like last time when one packing company would send many packets to one restaurant,” he said.

Armizan said subsidised cooking oil packets can also be found at Rahmah sales.

“Packing companies will supply Rahmah sales programmes with cooking oil packets. This will ensure supplies reach the targeted groups,” he said.

Subsidised cooking oil packets are a price controlled item, together with other items such as sugar, flour, petrol and diesel.

Armizan also said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed that a national campaign be held to reduce the people’s sugar consumption. “One person uses 52kg of sugar every year. This is why cases of obesity and diabetes are high,” he said.