KUALA LUMPUR: Temporary approved permits (APs) to import refined sugar will be issued soon to meet the current demand for it among food and beverage producers in the country.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was a short term measure which had to be taken due to a shortage in refined sugar due to a technical issue at the Central Sugars Refinery Sdn Bhd (CSR) factory in Shah Alam.
He said the issue was brought to light by industry players in a meeting with his ministry.
Saifuddin said the industry players had asked for an immediate solution so as not to disrupt their production lines.
“Representatives of Nestle and Coca-Cola met with us to voice their concern after their supply from CSR was affected due to a problem with the CSR factory boiler. As a result, the ministry had decided to issue temporary APs to import refined sugar until such a time as the problem can be completely solved,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
Saifuddin added that CSR, which is the main producer of refined sugar in the country, had the necessary network which would allow it to import the item.
However, he said the ministry did not have a problem issuing APs directly to Nestle, Coca-Cola and other companies in the industry if such a step made the process faster and more efficient.
“If issuing APs directly to the industry players does not invite any problem, then we do not have any objections to such a move. We will decide tomorrow or the day after whether to issue the AP to CSR or directly to the industry players, after weighing up all possibilities and which would be the best approach to solving this problem.”