KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will seek assistance from other states if wholesalers and retailers appointed to store controlled goods during the flood season are “paralysed” due to the disaster.State director Azman Ismail said for the time being, if wholesalers and retailers appointed in any district are affected, the nearest district unaffected by the floods will help send supplies of controlled goods.
“Currently, each district has appointed wholesalers and retailers to store controlled goods.
“If any of them is affected by the floods, supplies will be channelled first from the nearest wholesalers and retailers that are not affected by the floods.
“We did this during the severe floods in 2014. If the current flood situation continues and causes the entire state to be down, we will seek assistance from other states directly at Subang Base,” he told Bernama.
The media previously reported that the ministry’s Kelantan arm has appointed 133 wholesalers and retailers to store controlled goods in excess of the quota to face the monsoon season.
Azman was quoted as saying they were allowed to increase and store scheduled controlled goods by 30% for five months starting this month until next March.
Azman said they are prepared for any eventuality, including increasing cooperation with agencies such as the Welfare Department, the state Security Council and the district offices.“In addition to information from appointed wholesalers and retailers, we also have formed cooperation with several agencies involved to find out the current situation, including involving the supply of controlled goods.
“We hope that the people of Kelantan will not panic over the supply of goods.
“(The ministry) will do its best to ensure that controlled goods during the flood season are sufficient for the use of the people of Kelantan,” he said.
