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Yoshitsune Minamoto
Guest
Jun 8, 2010
M'sians bitter over sugar
Government vows to increase supply after spate of complaints
<!-- by line --> By Hazlin Hassan, Malaysia Correspondent
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Consumers blame the shortage on hoarding ahead of the Muslim fasting month, smuggling into Thailand, buying by Singaporeans in Johor and businesses that hid sugar stocks as they expect the government to increase prices soon, the media reported. -- PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
KUALA LUMPUR - THE Malaysian government yesterday appealed against panic buying and said it will soon increase sugar supplies nationwide, following widespread complaints of a severe shortage of the commodity. Consumers say that many supermarkets in Malaysia have limited customers to two packets of sugar each, while many other outlets have been out of supplies for over a week. Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday the government will increase sugar supply by 5 per cent from this month. Malaysia consumes about 1.26 million tonnes of sugar a year.
Consumers blame the shortage on hoarding ahead of the Muslim fasting month, smuggling into Thailand, buying by Singaporeans in Johor and businesses that hid sugar stocks as they expect the government to increase prices soon, the media reported. During the Ramadan fasting month, which will start in early August, many cottage industries mushroom to make sweet Malay cakes and pastries to sell during the Hari Raya period. Sugar in Peninsular Malaysia costs RM1.65 (70 Singapore cents) a kilo, with the government subsidising 80 sen.
Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
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