Food supply to be restored within two weeks

PUTRAJAYA: The supply of food in states badly affected by the floods is expected to be fully restored within two weeks, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek.

He said the period could be shorter if the weather improved.

“The main obstacle is accessibility to the states as many roads had been inundated and closed to traffic.

“There are more than enough supply of food and other essential items for everyone but they could not be sent to the affected areas.

“Let’s pray for good weather so the supplies could reach the affected areas soon,” he said yesterday.

Hasan said efforts were under way to send fuel supply to Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

“We have made arrangements with oil companies to give priority to the three states,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that the Meteorological Department has forecast strong winds and rough seas in the waters off Pahang, eastern Johor, Sarawak, Sabah (Interior, West Coast, and Kudat districts) and Labuan until tomorrow.

It said in a statement that the Category Two winds of 50 to 60km per hour and waves as high as 4.5m were dangerous for all shipping, including ferry services, fishing and coastal activities.

“Similar conditions are expected to prevail in the waters off Samui, Tioman, Bunguran, Reef South and Labuan,” it added.

The department said Category One winds of 40 to 50kph and waves as high as 3.5m would occur up to tomorrow in the waters off Kelantan and Terengganu.

It also said that Category Three north-easterly winds exceeding 60kph and waves higher than 4.5m were expected to occur in the waters off Condore, Reef North, Layang-layang and Palawan.

“These conditions are dangerous for all coastal activities and shipping and also for workers on oil platforms,” it added.