Latest news with #DatukP.Murugiah
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Penang Hindu Association claims subsidised cooking oil being repackaged as prayer oil
GEORGE TOWN: In an effort to prevent the misuse of subsidised cooking oil, the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) is urging consumers to always check the prices and the source of prayer oil before buying. In a statement, PHA president Datuk claimed that most of the oil used in Hindu praying rituals and temples is actually being misused and derived from subsidised cooking oil meant for low-income households. "We found out that most of the 'prayer oil' sold in the state – especially in (prayer material) supply stores – is actually repackaged subsidised cooking oil," he claimed. He added that subsidised oil, which is priced at RM2.50 per kilogramme, is sold at as high as RM8.20 per litre for use in rituals. "In a recent price survey carried out by PHA, a particular prayer oil brand is listed at RM8.20 per litre – which is a mind-blowing 228% profit from the actual subsidised price and some brands of prayer oils cost even more," he said in a statement on Thursday (June 26). He said this practice, if left unchecked, will defeat the purpose of the subsidy meant for the B40 group and when this oil is rerouted into religious retail at such inflated prices, the benefit is lost-and someone else pockets the profit. Murugiah said the issue is not a new problem and just two years ago in 2023, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry caught a trader repackaging subsidised cooking oil in different bottles and selling them as prayer oil at high prices. He said some suppliers would even use dyes in the oils in order to hoodwink authorities. He said PHA is calling on the ministry to tighten enforcement and conduct frequent spot checks at retail outlets, especially those selling religious paraphernalia. "We urge the ministry to compel prayer oil traders to declare the source of their products and list the retail price clearly on the packaging. This is in line with labelling laws and will ensure consumers are not misled," he said. He said the association also supports a full nationwide rollout of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme System (eCoss), which is designed to track the supply of subsidised oil from refinery to retail. He believes eCoss can plug the loopholes currently exploited by rogue suppliers and he also urged consumers to stay alert and check the source of the oil they buy for prayer use. Meanwhile, Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director S. Jegan said they consistently monitor all activities involving the use of subsidised cooking oil to prevent misuse or diversion. He said monitoring is not limited to supply but also covers all related activities, including the use of cooking oil in religious rituals such as temple offerings by Hindu devotees, as mentioned by the PHA. While no official complaints have been received so far on the matter, he said the department continues to carry out its duties, including those concerning the misuse of subsidised goods. "The ministry will not hesitate to take action against any party found involved in the misappropriation of subsidised items. We urge anyone with information regarding such misuse to report it to us. This will help facilitate prompt enforcement and, at the same time, prevent unnecessary panic or public concern that could lead to disharmony," he said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang KPDN to act against misuse of subsidised cooking oil
GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Penang, will not hesitate to take action against individuals or entities involved in the misuse of subsidised goods. State director S. Jegan said the department continuously monitors all activities involving the use of cooking oil, not just in terms of supply, but also related practices, including the use of oil in religious rituals, such as prayer oil used by Hindu devotees, as raised by the Penang Hindu Association (PHA). "Although we have yet to receive any official complaints on the matter, our enforcement officers are consistently carrying out duties under all relevant laws, including those related to the misuse of subsidised goods. "We urge any parties, whether members of the public or associations, who have information regarding such misuse to channel it to KPDN through our official complaint channels. "This will facilitate early action and help avoid public panic or concerns that may lead to a disharmonious situation," he said today. His remarks came in response to concerns raised by the PHA regarding enforcement efforts to curb the misuse of subsidised cooking oil. PHA president Datuk P. Murugiah claimed the association had received insider information from retail sources that most of the prayer oil used by Hindus and temples was, in fact, subsidised cooking oil. "The government introduced the RM2.50 per kg subsidised cooking oil scheme to ensure affordability for low-income households, particularly those in the B40 group. "However, this initiative has been exploited by unscrupulous suppliers who repackage the cooking oil as prayer oil and sell it at exorbitant prices. "In a recent PHA price survey, one particular prayer oil brand was listed at RM8.20 per litre, a staggering 228 per cent profit from the subsidised price. Some brands are sold at even higher prices," he said in a statement. Murugiah added that the issue was not new. Two years ago, KPDN enforcement officers apprehended a trader for refilling subsidised cooking oil into different bottles and selling it as prayer oil at inflated prices. PHA has urged KPDN to intensify its monitoring of the matter and to conduct regular checks on the source and pricing of prayer oil products sold at retail outlets.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
PHA Urges Vigilance Over Misuse Of Subsidised Cooking Oil In Hindu Rituals
GEORGE TOWN, June 26 (Bernama) -- Penang Hindu Association (PHA) is urging consumers to always check the prices and the source of prayer oil before buying them, in an effort to prevent the misuse of subsidised cooking oil. In a statement, PHA president Datuk alleged that most of the oil used in Hindu praying rituals and temples is actually diverted from subsidised stock that are meant for low-income households and being misused for religious purposes. "We found out that most of the 'prayer oil' sold in the state, especially in temple supply stores—was actually repackaged subsidised cooking oil. Originally priced at RM2.50 per kilogramme (kg) in the open market, it now fetches up to RM8.20 per litre in the form of ritual-use oil. "In a recent price survey carried out by PHA, a particular prayer oil brand is listed at RM8.20 per litre, which is a mind-blowing 228 per cent profit from the actual subsidised price and some brands of prayer oild cost even more," he said in statement today. He said this practice ,if left unchecked , will defeat the purpose of the subsidy meant for the B40 group but when this oil is rerouted into religious retail at such inflated prices, the benefit is lost—and someone else pockets the profit. Murugiah said the issue is not a new problem and just two years ago in 2023, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) caught a trader repackaging subsidised cooking oil in different bottles and selling them as prayer oil at high prices. He said some suppliers would even resort to using colour dyes for the oils in order to distract the authorities and PHA has now called on KPDN to tighten its enforcement and conduct frequent spot checks at retail outlets, especially those selling religious paraphernalia. 'We urge the Ministry to compel prayer oil traders to declare the source of their products and list the retail price clearly on the is in line with labelling laws and will ensure consumers are not misled," he said. He said the association also supports a full nationwide rollout of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme System (eCOSS), which is designed to track the supply of subsidised oil from refinery to retail.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
B40 families receive aid via free groceries initiative
GEORGE TOWN: Since January, over 300 low-income and hardcore poor families across Penang and neighbouring regions have received grocery aid through the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS). On Wednesday, an aid distribution event was held at KDS in River Road, involving 60 families. Another 10 families who could not attend due to medical or caregiving responsibilities had the aid delivered to their homes. Since early this year, the two organisations have distributed grocery packages worth RM180 each to families in Penang Island, Butterworth, Prai, Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal, Simpang Ampat, Kulim and Ipoh. Each aid package includes more than 35 essential grocery items, vegetables, milk powder for children and senior citizens, diapers, health products, face masks and a vegetarian meal. The initiative is sustained entirely through public donations and support from several NGOs. PHA president Datuk P. Murugiah said the charity efforts were in response to the rising cost of living, inflation and concerns over job losses. 'Some families have had to borrow money just to buy food, medicine, milk for their children and even to pay for transport to school ,' he told theSun. Murugiah, who also coordinates operations at KDS, urged the government to carry out a comprehensive study on the current poverty situation. However, he pointed out that such conditions may not be fully visible through official statistics alone. Beyond food aid, the two entities have also extended support to bedridden individuals and those suffering from conditions such as cancer, stroke and kidney failure, by providing partial financial assistance to cover medical bills. Additionally, PHA supports underprivileged students by providing laptops and partially covering academic fees. More than 50 students have benefitted through the programme. 'None of this would be possible without the compassion and generosity of our donors,' Murugiah said. Established in 2012, PHA is a non-profit organisation committed to the welfare of underprivileged communities in Penang and neighbouring states. Over the years, it has been involved in community service initiatives, including funeral rites and cremation for unclaimed bodies from hospitals and care homes, providing vegetarian meals for senior citizens and assisting students in need. KDS, a charitable medical clinic founded in 1982 as a welfare wing of the Temple of Fine Arts, provides free medical care to the public, with a focus on serving the underprivileged. It has expanded its services to include a mobile medical unit for rural outreach and currently also offers free legal services to those in need. This grassroots effort, now in its 27th year, continues to provide a safety net for many urban poor families. According to a study by Unicef Malaysia in August 2024 involving 433 low-income households in Penang, 27.9% of respondents said they had to cut down on food due to financial constraints.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
PHA, KDS aid 300 low-income families across Penang in 2024
GEORGE TOWN: Since January, over 300 low-income and hardcore poor families across Penang and neighbouring regions have received grocery aid through the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS). On Wednesday, an aid distribution event was held at KDS in River Road, involving 60 families. Another 10 families who could not attend due to medical or caregiving responsibilities had the aid delivered to their homes. Since early this year, the two organisations have distributed grocery packages worth RM180 each to families in Penang Island, Butterworth, Prai, Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal, Simpang Ampat, Kulim and Ipoh. Each aid package includes more than 35 essential grocery items, vegetables, milk powder for children and senior citizens, diapers, health products, face masks and a vegetarian meal. The initiative is sustained entirely through public donations and support from several NGOs. PHA president Datuk P. Murugiah said the charity efforts were in response to the rising cost of living, inflation and concerns over job losses. 'Some families have had to borrow money just to buy food, medicine, milk for their children and even to pay for transport to school ,' he told theSun. Murugiah, who also coordinates operations at KDS, urged the government to carry out a comprehensive study on the current poverty situation. However, he pointed out that such conditions may not be fully visible through official statistics alone. Beyond food aid, the two entities have also extended support to bedridden individuals and those suffering from conditions such as cancer, stroke and kidney failure, by providing partial financial assistance to cover medical bills. Additionally, PHA supports underprivileged students by providing laptops and partially covering academic fees. More than 50 students have benefitted through the programme. 'None of this would be possible without the compassion and generosity of our donors,' Murugiah said. Established in 2012, PHA is a non-profit organisation committed to the welfare of underprivileged communities in Penang and neighbouring states. Over the years, it has been involved in community service initiatives, including funeral rites and cremation for unclaimed bodies from hospitals and care homes, providing vegetarian meals for senior citizens and assisting students in need. KDS, a charitable medical clinic founded in 1982 as a welfare wing of the Temple of Fine Arts, provides free medical care to the public, with a focus on serving the underprivileged. It has expanded its services to include a mobile medical unit for rural outreach and currently also offers free legal services to those in need. This grassroots effort, now in its 27th year, continues to provide a safety net for many urban poor families. According to a study by Unicef Malaysia in August 2024 involving 433 low-income households in Penang, 27.9% of respondents said they had to cut down on food due to financial constraints. For more information or to contribute, contact Murugiah at 016-444 9246.
