PETALING JAYA: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry should look into the shortage of subsidised packet cooking oil in the market, says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
CAP education officer NV Subbarow urged the ministry to increase the supply of packet cooking oil nationwide as it will benefit the lower-income (B40) groups.
“Over the past weeks, many Indian housewives have faced problems getting packet cooking oil to make Deepavali cookies. We received complaints that they are unable to buy packets of cooking oil from the shops as they were sold out," he said.
Subbarow added that a CAP survey found that their stocks of packet cooking oil were sold out once it arrived on Monday (Oct 17).
“They said usually it will be finished in one day because of the big demand from those who celebrate Deepavali,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 18).
Subbarow added that many housewives who went to shops to buy on Sunday were told there was no more in stock.
“Even though the price has not increased, there is not enough packet cooking oil in the market to be sold.
“This is the time for the ministry to increase the supply of packet cooking oil because many Indian families who are from B40 groups will use subsidised packet cooking oil during this Deepavali season,” he said.
