March 15, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR – THE public should lodge complaints with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry if they find any Israeli products being sold in the Malaysian market, says its minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The ministry’s Ops Pantau does not just monitor the price of goods, but also checks whether Israeli products are being sold here, he said following recent reports that dates from Israel were being sold in Malaysia.
“We have included this (selling Israeli products in Malaysia) in the standard operating procedure and terms and conditions of Ops Pantau, which we launched specifically for the Ramadan month and Hari Raya.
“We will look into the reports alleging Israeli dates were being sold here and we hope the public will cooperate by lodging reports at any of our (the ministry’s) social media platforms,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Armizan said this in reply to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) who had asked about the ministry’s action following reports that dates originating from Israel were being sold in the country.
Malaysia and Israel have no formal diplomatic ties, and Israeli citizens, products and services are banned.
However, the Customs Department revealed on Wednesday that it had seized “Organic Jumbo Medjool Dates” that were brought from Israel to Malaysia to three different locations on March 12.
This was after the department was notified of social media posts on Monday by users saying that repackaged Israeli dates were being sold in Malaysia.
The Customs Department said the dates were sold through a local organic food company at one location in Petaling Jaya and two in Klang.
While lauding the Customs Department’s action, Rosol urged Armizan to ensure the ministry is thorough in its monitoring, adding that it should also check online shopping platforms.
“We share your concerns and we will continue to monitor. We will ensure that no dates from Israel are being distributed and offered to consumers,” said Armizan.