By Peter Boon
SIBU: Unscrupulous traders manipulating the supply of controlled items through hoarding, refusing to sell - causing artificial shortage - can be slapped with a fine of RM100,000 or three years’ imprisonment. Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry Sibu branch head Balraj Singh said this was provided for under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
He warned that his men would not hesitate to take stern actions against errant traders.
Balraj said among others, they were intensifying their efforts to ensure that there was sufficient supply of essential items in the central region to meet the market demand, which was expected to surge in view of the coming Christmas celebration.
“We are monitoring the situation very closely and will take tough action against traders, who hoard or refuse to sell essential items with intention of ‘cashing in’ on the artificial shortage,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.
“Stern actions are necessary as the manipulation of controlled items, which triggered artificial shortage, can exert unnecessary pressure and hardship on the people.”
He said this when asked about the supply of sugar here, following the call by Limbang Resident’s Office to authorities to probe the shortage of sugar there which had been blamed on distributors.
Resident Maria Hasman was reported to have made the comment after certain distributors refused to send out the supplies to Lawas even though the commodity has been delivered by the authorities.
On the supply of sugar here, Balraj assured the public rgar there was no shortage.
To ensure consistency in the supply of sugar in the central region, he said his enforcement teams were constantly on the ground to monitor the schedule and shipment of sugar from manufacturers based in Peninsular Malaysia.
He thus, reassured the public here that there was sufficient supply of sugar for everyone and they should not be unduly worried.
For that, he hoped the public would play their part by not resorting to ‘panic buying’ as this could give rise to artificial shortage, reiterating that there was adequate supply of sugar for the central region.
Still on enforcement, Balraj pointed out that they were keeping close tabs on the situation throughout the year and not just during festive seasons.
Anticipating the probable increase in the demand for essential items in view of Christmas celebration, he said they were in the midst of arranging a dialogue session with wholesalers (dealing in essential items) soon.
Asked further, he said the approach was to ensure that the supply of essential items such as sugar, flour, chicken, eggs, cooking oil and others were enough for the coming yuletide celebration.
Sugar and flour are core ingredients for cakes and cookies and their demand tend to escalate during festive seasons.
Among other things, the dialogue was to obtain feedback and views of wholesalers, he added.
Towards this end, he appreciated the role of wholesalers here, who had been very cooperative in ensuring the supply of essential items in the market remaining optimum.
He advised consumers who wished to make a complaint to call their office at 084-335622/329202.
Alternatively, they can log into their website: http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my.
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