SHORTAGE: Cooking oils without government subsidy are still available.
KUCHING: Government subsidised cooking oil has run out during the Chinese New Year celebration.
Sources said this had happened for some years now. In the outskirts, cooking oil in 1kg to 5kg packages was sold out. In town, cooking oil of 1kg and a certain brand was out of stock.
A survey at some of the grocery shops and supermarkets in town and those located along Kuching-Serian road found cooking oil in 1kg to 5kg was not enough to meet the demand.
One possible explanation, someone offered, is that the shortage of this subsidised item could be due to smuggling activities.
Although many retailers had limited the number of cooking oil sold per customer, the smugglers could hire people to buy the cooking oil and white sugar and smuggle them across the border.
Many of the supermarket supervisors said smuggling activities could be the reason for the cooking oil shortage in the market. However, this happens almost every year during big festivals.
They added other necessities could also be sold out due to demands from homes, small industries and restaurants during festive seasons. Some commented that enforcement agencies should act urgently during these times to stop smugglers from taking these subsidised items to neighbouring countries.
When contacted, Customs Department officers said the department needed public help in reporting any
smuggling activities that they knew of.
They could call 1-800-88-8855 or 082-333133 to lodge a report.
Their identities will be kept confidential.