HOW HEAVY IS THIS?: Tan (second left) weighing some chilli while (from left) Khalis and Balraj look on at a wet market in Sungai Merah.
SIBU: Local populace has been assured that eggs are safe for consumption as there are no fake eggs circulating in Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) Datuk Tan Lian Hoe in giving the assurance yesterday, said consumers need not be overly alarmed over the report of seizure of eggs from three stalls at Pulau Tikus market, George Town, on claims that fakes were being sold there.
“There are no reports of fake eggs in circulation in Sarawak. The ones mentioned in the news are still under investigation and could not be confirmed at this point of time if they (eggs) are fake or not. Perhaps, they are genuine eggs and in such state, as they are not fresh or even overdue,” Tan told a press conference after visiting the Rejang Park market here.
She was accompanied by MDTCC state deputy director Mohd Khalis Kasim and Sibu branch chief Balraj Singh.
Tan urged consumers to take precautionary measures such as comparing prices and checking on the quality of goods.
She did not discount the possibility that there was a handful of traders out to take advantage of consumers.
As such, she advised them to call the ministry’s hotline at 1800-886-800 to lodge their complaints.
On Rejang Park market, she praised the traders there for displaying price tag and priced their goods competitively.
“Thus far, there have been no complaints from consumers. And traders here told me that they are happy with their business,” she noted.
She also said cleanliness is a key factor in attracting more business, adding that business is becoming more competitive these days.
“If we keep our place clean at all times, people will continue to frequent our stalls and there will be more business for us,” she suggested.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) secretary Hii Chang Kee disclosed that the market was managed by a committee and that they were paid monthly contract fee to keep the place spick and span. There are 64 stalls comprising of wet, dry, food and drinks stalls.
Later, Tan also visited the market near Dewan Suarah and Sungai Merah.