Sabah to distribute cooking oil stock in west coast
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry will get additional cooking oil supply in the east coast to be distributed in the west coast here.
Its director, Yahya Sulaiman, said distributing 1,603 metric tonnes of cooking oil stock in Sandakan could address the demand.
Besides that, he said, the ministry had also taken action against two wholesalers in Sandakan and Tawau for selling cooking oil with inappropriate pricing and labelling.
“Our checks revealed that they sold cooking oil meant for export in the local market, but with export prices.
“Some of them also labelled them in litre, instead of the standard measurement, which is kilogramme,” he said after state Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid’s walkabout for price control scheme at a supermarket here.
Yahya said although there was no shortage or quota for people to buy cooking oil packs, he advised them not to buy in bulk as it would affect supply.
He said the ministry would continue to monitor profiteering and smuggling for the well-being of consumers.
As of today, the state ministry had taken action in 945 cases involving seizures worth RM3.29 million.
“We have issued RM544,000 worth of compounds and collected fines totalling RM314,000.
“People should lodge reports on any wrongdoings by business operators instead of spreading messages that will allow p erp etrators to escape before action can be taken against them,” he said.
Jainab said 13 items had been listed as controlled price items, including chicken, eggs, imported lamb, tomato, green pepper and pork.