23-07-2025
Mobile app to combat cooking oil smuggling, subsidy leakages
PETALING JAYA: The Mobile eCOSS Application will provide data on cooking oil demand to curb smuggling and subsidy leakages, says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Armizan Ali.
He said this data will assist in forming government policy for cooking oil subsidy delivery.
"We didn't have exact data on cooking oil usage, but with eCOSS, we'll have purchase data," he said on Wednesday (July 23).
"From here, we can draft policy and target cooking oil subsidies to eligible recipients," he added during his ministerial replies in Dewan Rakyat.
This marked the first time the Auditor-General's Report was tabled for debate.
Armizan also mentioned a pilot project for the application began in Johor in May.
He said the mobile app would allow monitoring and enforcement against sales to foreigners.
'The application will be rolled out gradually to ensure system stability before full implementation.
'Through the Mobile eCOSS Application, retail purchase data will be recorded, enabling monitoring of retailer sales and consumer purchase data, including identities based on National Registration Department records.
'This strategy facilitates monitoring and enforcement against sales exceeding limits or to foreigners,' he added.
The latest Auditor-General's report revealed the current policy on subsidised cooking oil is not comprehensive, allowing non-targeted groups, including non-citizens, to benefit.
The report suggests the ministry improve its Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (COSS) guidelines to address these issues.
