KOTA KINABALU: Many premises in Sabah have sufficient supply of food and essentials in light of the second wave of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
Sabah Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) director Georgie Abas said enforcement teams have conducted inspections on 150 premises throughout the state and found no supplies cut off despite reports of panic buying at several places.
A total of 200 enforcement officers and 90 price monitoring officers were involved in the inspection operation beginning two days ago.
"Price monitoring officers at each KPDNHEP office branch have monitored prices of goods every day and reported no panic buying in 31 wet markets, 13 hypermarkets, 48 supermarkets, and 58 grocery stores," he said, today.
This morning, nine KPDNHEP enforcement officers conducted a check on supply of goods at the Bataras Hypermarket in Kolombong, here.
Essentials and controlled goods such as cooking oil, rice, soap, and toilet papers were sufficient, and customers were doing their shopping as usual.
"Sabah KPDNHEP will ensure there is continuous supply of essentials and all items are priced reasonably. This inspection is also to make sure controlled goods such as sugar, cooking oil, and flour are being sold at prices set by the government," said Georgie.
He then reminded all business operators against taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation by marking up prices, while advising consumers to file complaints.
Kolombong branch Bataras Hypermarket assistant manager Masthowel Musah said the hypermarket ran out of toilet papers and sanitisers yesterday as people thronged the premises to get their hands on these items.
This happened after the announcement of Sabah's first Covid-19 case involving a person in Tawau.
"All bulk toilet papers were sold out in an instant. Other than that, people went for hand sanitisers too.
"However, despite the rush in shopping, we have restocked the toilet papers. We have plenty of them. As for food and controlled goods, there is no supply problem," he said.
Masthowel, however, noted they were out of Dettol products, except those used for house cleaning purposes.