Residents in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, report that subsidized cooking oil distributed by the local edible oil merchants' association is now restricted to households holding official purchase permit booklets, following public directives from regime leader Min Aung Hlaing to curb domestic oil consumption. Citing health concerns and foreign exchange strain, Min Aung Hlaing instructed administrative authorities to implement measures to restrict public oil intake. Following the directive, local authorities in Mawlamyine altered the distribution framework for subsidized oil. Now, we must first obtain a permit booklet costing 1,000 MMK," a Mawlamyine resident told Than Lwin Times. "The volume of cooking oil actually released to the public is minimal; vendors regularly divide the remainder among themselves," another resident said.