Food matters: Lee speaking during the state assembly in Iskandar Puteri.
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A sudden increase in demand for eggs from the public and industry players has contributed to the shortage of the commodity, says state exco member Lee Ting Han.
He added the number of eggs produced remained the same between 10 million and 12 million eggs every week.
“About 10 million and 12 million of various egg grades are produced in Johor every week and this includes eggs that are for the local market, for other parts of the country as well as for export.
“Based on the data that we have received, the supply of eggs in Johor remains the same.
“But there has been a sudden increase in demand that is causing the shortage.
“This includes raising demand in industries such as bakeries as well as public consumption in general,” he said at a press conference during the Johor state assembly here yesterday.
Lee, who is state investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman, said the state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has conducted a total of 6,655 operations to monitor the price and supply of eggs and chicken in Johor since February this year.
“Following the checks, we have identified 235 cases and have taken action against the businesses involved. Of the number, 215 of the cases involved retailers while 10 each involved farmers and wholesalers.
“In most cases, businesses were found to be selling chicken or eggs at prices higher than the maximum allowed,” he said, adding that the cases were investigated under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
He added that the authorities have also received a complaint about dirty eggs sold in the market.
“We have received one report on it and it’s being investigated,” he said.
Lee said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently chaired the National Action Council on Cost-of-Living Special Meeting.
“In the next few weeks, the ministry will give its suggestions to the Prime Minister on tackling this issue,” he added.
