Use Of eCOSS Not Affecting Purchase Of Packet Cooking Oil - KPDN

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) today refuted claims that the use of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (eCOSS) mobile application has made it difficult for consumers who do not have smartphones to obtain subsidised packet cooking oil.

The ministry’s enforcement director in Johor, Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, said that apart from using the application via QR code scanning, consumers can also register manually via a logbook provided by the supermarket.

She said the manual registration is provided to allow consumers who do not have smartphones to also obtain subsidised packet cooking oil legally and in an orderly manner.

"Even before the implementation of this pilot programme, we have held engagement sessions with supermarkets to ensure its smooth implementation.

“In addition, we also have our officers at the sales counters throughout the first five days of implementation for a 'Training of Trainers' (ToT) session for consumers and the supermarket involved to ensure the smooth running of the system," she said in a statement today.

Lilis Saslinda said that so far, 111,480 purchase transactions have been recorded through the eCOSS application, while 47,141 purchase transactions have been carried out manually via the logbook since the launch of the pilot programme.

She said the number proves that both purchase methods work well and are widely used by consumers.

“At the same time, we advise supermarkets to fully cooperate by informing consumers about the available manual registration options. Enforcement personnel will also continue to monitor operations to ensure smooth and transparent implementation on the ground,” she said.

The eCOSS pilot programme was launched at the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme (PJRM) level on July 12, while the subsidised cooking oil distribution programme in Johor began on Aug 11.

Consumers are advised to report any complaints or issues related to the purchase of subsidised packet cooking oil via WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, through the e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my portal, the call centre at 1-800-886-800, or the KPDN Ez ADU smartphone application.

Yesterday, a media portal reported that two men expressed disappointment after failing to obtain packet cooking oil simply because they did not own a smartphone to scan the QR code.

-- BERNAMA