JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 9 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has refuted claims that using the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (eCOSS) mobile app has made it difficult for consumers without smartphones to obtain subsidised packet cooking oil.
Its Johor enforcement director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said that apart from using the app via QR code scanning, consumers can also register manually via a logbook provided by the supermarket.
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," Lilis said in a statement today.
So far, 111,480 purchase transactions have been recorded through the eCOSS app, 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,” Lilis 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 August 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 [email protected] portal, the call centre at 1-800-886-800, or the KPDN Ez ADU smartphone app.
Yesterday, a news 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.
