MARANG: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has directed all suppliers and companies under the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme (COPSS) to expedite the packaging and distribution of the subsidised goods to avoid shortages in the market.
The ministry's enforcement director Azman Adam said the issue of lack of supply should not have arisen because the government has approved the production of 60,000 tonnes of subsidised cooking oil a month to ease the burden of consumers.
"However, due to several factors such as panic buying, there was some supply disruption in the market. This is exacerbated by the spread of fake news about rising prices of goods,” he told reporters after after inspecting the implementation of the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme at Pasar Awam Wakaf Tapai, here, Sunday (Jan 30).
According to Azman, apart from panic buying, the full opening of the economic sector during the festive season also contributed to the supply shortage in the market.
Meanwhile, he reminded traders not to impose certain conditions for the purchase of subsidised cooking oil as it was against the law.
"Consumers with information on such practices are urged to lodge official complaints to the ministry so that stern action could be taken against the irresponsible traders,” he said.
In another development, Azman said 80,465 business premises nationwide were inspected by the ministry's enforcement officers from Jan 1 to 28.
Of that number, he said 19%, or 12,834 premises, were located in rural areas.
"The inspections were carried out to ensure that consumers in rural areas enjoyed the same prices for essential items such as sugar, wheat flour and cooking oil as those who live in the urban areas,” he said. - Bernama
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
