‘Cooking oil supply will return to normal next week’

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BERA: Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob assured that the supply of cooking oil in the market would return to normal next week.

Ismail Sabri said producing, packaging and distributing companies have been directed to increase their production and supply to wholesalers, especially so due to the Chinese New Year celebrations early next month.

“An additional 14,000 tonnes of cooking oil will be in the market before Chinese New Year.”

“This will ensure enough cooking oil for the Chinese New Year period. There can only be a shortage if suppliers and wholesalers start hoarding the product to create a shortage,” he told reporters after visiting Tembangau Felda settlers here yesterday.

He added that the country requires about 73,000 tonnes of cooking oil monthly and the additional 14,000 tonnes can cater for an increase in demand during the Chinese New Year.

Ismail Sabri urged the people to remain calm and not panic or start buying cooking oil in excess because the government would ensure there was enough supply.

Consumers have been facing an acute shortage of cooking oil over the past two weeks, apparently due to hoarding by some irresponsible suppliers and wholesalers, who had expected a price hike.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri who is also Bera Member of Parliament said the Federal government had approved a RM30 million allocation to upgrade water supply initiatives to Felda Gugusan, Bera, this year.

He said the upgrading works of pipes in the area would benefit about 10,000 Felda settlers in Felda Gugusan, Bera. — Bernama