Immediate ban to ensure government subsidies only for Malaysians

PUTRAJAYA: Ten items, including sugar, flour, cooking oil and petrol, will not be allowed to go out of the country to ensure the millions of ringgit the Government spends annually on subsidies is enjoyed by Malaysians, and that supply of these goods remain ample always.

The ban, which is immediate, will see stricter surveillance, monitoring and checking at Malaysian borders in Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Johor and Sarawak.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said the list of 10 items was endorsed by the Cabinet in its weekly meeting on Tuesday, adding that some of the items were price-controlled (ceiling price fixed by the Government to ensure it remained affordable).

The subsidised items in the list are flour, cooking oil, petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) while the price-controlled items are sugar, cement and clinker, mild steel round bars, chicken and fertiliser.

“I must stress that even though these items are barred from being taken out of the country, the ruling does not apply to those with export permits. They can continue to export these goods because the items purchased from factories are meant for export. They are not subsidised, nor do we fix ceiling prices for this purpose.

“However, those without permit who fail to adhere to the ruling will be severely dealt with, even if it is only a kilogram of sugar or a packet of flour,” he told a press conference yesterday.

First-time offenders face a fine of up to RM100,000 or jail not exceeding three years, while subsequent offenders would be fined up to RM250,000 or jailed for a maximum of five years.

Shafie declined to comment on what was discussed during the National Price Council’s inaugural meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the Prime Minister.

The council was set up following a Cabinet proposal for a national stockpile of essential goods and a call centre for consumers to lodge complaints.

The Star