ALOR STAR: Subsidised cooking oil packet shortage nationwide will stabilise in the next few days as packagers and wholesalers deliver the new month's shipment.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement director Azman Adam said supply shortage was a common situation during the early part of each month as the wholesalers only get their respective quota from cooking oil refiners on the first and second day of the calendar month.
"Each month, the government distributes the quota for 60,000 metric tonnes of subsidised cooking oil to be distributed by packagers and wholesalers.
"Usually, they (the packagers and wholesalers) only receive their quota from cooking oil refiners on the first and second day of the calendar month, so only then will they start packaging.
"We expect supply to be stabilised in the next few days as the packagers and wholesalers deliver the supply to the market," he said.
He told this to reporters after accompanying the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof and state director Affendi Rajni Kanth for a check at Pasar Besar Alor Star here today.
Azman explained that the supply shortage was not sparked by panic buying but because of the high demand for subsided cooking oil.
"The demand is high for the subsidised cooking oil because of a vast difference between the subsidised cooking oil being sold at RM2.50 per kg and the unsubsidised cooking oil," he said.
Beginning July 1, the government has withdrawn the subsidy for bottled cooking oil sold in 2kg, 3kg and 5kg packaging.
The price is now being determined by the cooking oil producers based on the movement of the commodity worldwide.
He said yesterday the ministry had inspected 1,873 premises selling chicken, eggs, and cooking oil nationwide.
"There were 13 cases reported, but none involved selling the controlled items at beyond the ceiling price set by the government.
"In fact, we also found that many retailers were still selling (old stock) bottled cooking oil at the previous price.
"We appreciate the retailers for their understanding on the consumers' predicaments," he said.