IPOH: To avoid a shortage of essential items, people wanting to contribute in event of floods occurring due to the monsoon season are advised to source their donations from outside the impacted town, says Datuk Rosol Wahid.
The Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister said it was better for people to buy such items elsewhere before heading to a particular town to help victims.
"For example, if Ipoh is flooded, then people involved in any aid mission could purchase items from Kuala Lumpur instead and bring it over to Ipoh. This is to ensure that the supply chain is sufficient.
"I also hope that those wanting to provide basic essential items would purchase local products that are equally good or better in standards compared to other brands," he told a press conference after launching the ministry’s Malaysian Products Carnival at Mydin Mall Meru Raya here on Saturday (Oct 1).
Rosol added that the ministry had also granted permission to selected wholesalers, and retailers in districts throughout the country to store supplies of basic necessities of more than 30% for flood preparations.
He said items such as cooking oil, flour, sugar, and rice would be among the items that the ministry would give the green light for additional storage.
"We will work closely with the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry to ensure sufficient food supply.
"We will closely monitor all levels from manufacturers, and wholesalers right up to retailers throughout the country to ensure sufficient supply and facilitate immediate action in the event of a supply disruption," he said.
Rosol said the ministry not only monitored controlled items, but also other high-demand items during floods, such as instant noodles, diapers, light bulbs, medicines, and so forth.
