KOTA KINABALU: Sabah launched its own brand of cooking oil called “Sayang” on Wednesday (Oct 26).
Launched through Sawit Kinabalu Group, the state government’s premier investment arm in the oil palm industry, Sayang was an initiative to make the commodity more accessible and affordable to the people.
"The government is always sensitive to the needs of the people, in view of the cooking oil supply shortage and high price lately," said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also Sawit Kinabalu Group chairman, at the soft launching of the product at Anjung Selera, Likas here.
"This is something the people have been waiting for, and it is in line with the state government's aspiration to help the people get affordable cooking oil," he added.
The Sayang cooking oil is manufactured by Sawit Kinabalu subsidiary company, Kunak Edible Oil Sdn Bhd (KEOSB).
Available in 1kg, 2kg and 5kg bottles, Hajiji said the high-quality cooking oil was priced much cheaper than other non-subsidised cooking oil brands in the market.
The non-subsidised cooking oil price for 2kg bottles is RM13.20, while it is RM31 for the 5kg bottle.
“The price for subsidised cooking oil would be standard, which is RM2.50 per kilogramme,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Sawit Kinabalu’s monthly production capacity was at 150 tonnes for subsidised cooking oil and 100 tonnes for non-subsidised.
“I hope this will eliminate the issue of cooking oil shortage in the market,” he said, adding that the cooking oil will be made available throughout the state.
Meanwhile, Sawit Kinabalu Group managing director Datuk Bacho Jansie said KEOSB will work with local companies such as Sthamin Supermarket and several other marketing agents to be appointed to market the cooking oil.
Sawit Kinabalu, through another subsidiary company, Kunak Refinery Sdn Bhd, will also be supplying subsidised cooking oil (1kg packet) to the people in the state.
Earlier, Hajiji went on an impromptu walkabout to greet food vendors and distribute the Sayang cooking oil at the food court in Anjung Selera.
Also present were Sawit Kinabalu deputy chairman Datuk Rubin Balang, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Sedcovest Holdings general manager Amir Karim, and Sthamin managing director Busthamin Paita, as well as Sawit Kinabalu Group board members.
