Ministry personnel packing subsidised cooking oil for distribution to wholesalers in Sandakan.
KOTA KINABALU: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has supplied over 230 metric tonnes of subsidised cooking oil to target groups in Sabah’s east coast Sandakan district so far.
The ministry's Sandakan chief Azdy Zukkry John said the distribution of subsidised oil in packets was initiated in April under the Sandakan Prihatin Keluarga programme.
“The programme is the Sandakan branch of the ministry's own initiative which is aimed at distributing subsidised basic necessities to target groups,” Azdy said on Tuesday (July 5).
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“Since the programme started, some 234.6 metric tonnes of subsidised cooking oil have been successfully distributed not only to shops in Sandakan but also nearby rural districts such as Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid, Tongod and the Sapi Nangoh area,” he added.
He said the programme had a positive impact on the community, particularly those in rural areas.
“For me, villagers and rural residents deserve to enjoy the subsidy so we will continue this effort for the foreseeable future,” he told reporters after distributing 250 boxes of subsidised cooking oil to six appointed wholesalers in Bandar Sandakan.
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Meanwhile, he said, supermarkets in Sandakan will begin receiving the packets of oil in stages this week.
He advised business operators to be responsible traders by ensuring that such items are always available to consumers.
This can be achieved if the businesses planned ahead by asking for additional stocks to be delivered before their current supply ran out.
“The ministry is always ready to help supermarkets and businesses from a supply aspect as well as to provide advice when needed,” Azdy said.
