Prices of cooking oil to stabilise once manpower issue sorted, says Salahuddin

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub handing out Mandarin oranges to the public here after officiating an event in a mall here. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: The price and supply of cooking oil are expected to stablise once the manpower shortage issue has been resolved, says Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said that a lack of workers, which causes decreased production, was among the issues highlighted by industry players from the plantation sector.

"They said they are hoping for the problem to be resolved as soon as possible.

"They have also expressed readiness to hold further discussions to stabilise the price of cooking oil once they have enough workers," he said in a press conference here on Saturday (Jan 14) after launching a calligraphy competition in conjunction with Chinese New Year at a mall here.

"Last week, the Cabinet made an important decision to speed up the process of bringing in foreign workers.

"The Cabinet aims to be able to have ample foreign manpower, especially in the construction and plantation sectors, in the next three months," he said.