PAPAR: The sugar shortage in South West Coast and Tawau will be resolved when additional supply arrives in the middle of this month, said acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
He said the ministry received complaints from traders, including restaurants’ operators, that such shortage affected their business operations the past two weeks.
Armizan said the situation is under control in Sabah. “We need to look into this matter holistically. I was made to understand that the issue involves distribution at the wholesaler to retailer level.
“We have taken an immediate approach to look at the issue involving wholesalers by sending additional supplies that will arrive in Sabah middle of August,” he said.
Armizan who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah & Sarawak Affairs, Special Duties), said the Ministry is in the midst of assessing existing stocks to ensure Sabah traders would not face such shortage again.
“The distance with the peninsula should not be an issue to deny the people in Sabah the right to receive supplies of essential goods.
“If in the Peninsula, the logistics are relatively easy when supplies can be delivered in half a day or one day.
“But in Sabah, the logistics require air and sea transport, therefore, we need to ensure the reserve margin is sufficient and suitable for the needs in Sabah and Sarawak, so that the supply does not cut off,” he said.
