Sarawak sees full compliance with 1kg cooking oil sale ban to non-Malaysian citizens

Fuziah (second right) along with (from left) Matthew, Azman and Ngu inspecting the cooking oil packets at a section in Emart Matang on March 13, 2026.

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, March 13: Sarawak has recorded no cases so far under the ban on the sale and purchase of 1-kilogramme polybag cooking oil to non-Malaysian citizens, with only seven complaints received nationwide.

Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Senator Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said enforcement operations since March 1 have shown strong compliance in Sarawak.

She noted that transactions involving 1kg cooking oil were well-regulated and supplies remained sufficient.

“On March 1, 2026, KPDN began enforcing the government gazette prohibiting the purchase of 1kg packet cooking oil by non-Malaysian citizens.

“From March 1 to March 13, a total of 13,564 inspections were carried out nationwide, with 563 inspections conducted in Sarawak alone, all showing full compliance,” she said following a walkabout at Emart Matang today.

She added that seven complaints have been lodged nationwide, some of which are under investigation.

Fuziah emphasised that the ministry takes the issue of subsidised cooking oil leakage seriously. “If the buyer is at fault, they will be penalised. Likewise, if the seller is at fault, action will be taken. Some cases are currently under investigation,” she said.

KPDN may issue compounds to both traders and buyers found in violation, with fines of up to RM50,000 for companies and RM10,000 for individuals.

In a broader effort, KPDN has also been running Ops Pantau 2026 from Feb 19 to March 20, monitoring supply and pricing of essential goods ahead of Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Nationwide, 52,375 inspections have been conducted so far, resulting in 1,045 cases recorded and 829 on-the-spot fines issued, with goods valued at nearly RM8 million seized.

In Sarawak, 4,838 inspections were carried out, resulting in 142 cases recorded and 115 on-the-spot fines issued.

Fuziah also highlighted the convenience of the e-COSS system for buyers, particularly senior citizens.

“Buyers who do not use the mobile e-COSS application can still purchase cooking oil using a logbook. By presenting their IC, the purchase is recorded in the logbook, with a limit of three packets per day. So far, 3.5 million Malaysians have downloaded the mobile e-COSS app,” she said.

The application helps prevent excessive purchases by tracking daily transactions, and the ministry is working with the Ministry of Finance to further strengthen the system. Plans are underway to link the e-COSS database with IC verification terminals by the end of the year.

Fuziah encouraged consumers to act as the government’s “eyes and ears” under the Malaysia Madani and Whole Nation Approach, reporting any irregularities, smuggling, or manipulation of controlled and subsidized goods.

During the visit, a Notice of Prohibition on the Sale and Purchase of 1kg Polybag Cooking Oil to Non-Malaysian Citizens was handed to Emart Matang managing director, Ngu Ting Sii, as a reminder of the enforceable regulations.

KPDN director- general of Enforcement Datuk Azman Adam and KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin were present. — DayakDaily