KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Economists have urged the government to resolve the shortage of subsidised cooking oil before implementing a targeted subsidy system for essential goods.
Dr. Ida Md Yasin of PUTRA Business School said subsidised oil is often missing from supermarket shelves, suggesting problems in the current supply chain.
“It’s not just about who’s eligible to buy — the main issue is that there’s no stock in stores,” she said on Agenda AWANI.
She also called for small retailers and rural shops to be included in the new subsidy mechanism.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Rais Abdul Latiff from USM warned that the government must ensure a clear and workable implementation plan to avoid turning the subsidy issue into a political debate.
Earlier, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying announced plans to gradually introduce targeted subsidies for sugar, rice, and cooking oil, to prevent leakage and ensure only deserving groups benefit, following the model of diesel and BUDI MADANI RON95 programmes.
