Cooking oil shortage to be over soon, says ministry

ALOR SETAR: The subsidised cooking oil supply is expected to stabilise soon, says the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Its enforcement director Azman Adam said the shortage would be resolved after the packaging and distribution work is completed by suppliers.

“Usually, the government distributes the quota of 60,000 metric tonnes of subsidised cooking oil to manufacturers on the first and second day of the month.

“Then, the oil will be packaged and this process will take another one to two days,” he told Bernama yesterday, adding that the oil would be snapped up quickly because it is sold at the low price of RM2.50 per packet.

Earlier, Azman and the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, inspected Pasar Besar Alor Setar here to check chicken and egg prices.

He said there was no reason for traders to sell chicken beyond the ceiling price of RM9.40, especially in rural areas.

“The issue of the difference in selling price between urban and rural areas should not arise because the price mechanism has taken into account a sufficient profit margin at each level.

“(But) if there is any, please lodge a report with the ministry.

“Provide complete information, including the price and location, so that we can take immediate action,” he added.