Ministry ensuring prompt sugar supply to retailers

KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) Sarawak is pumping up its efforts to curb the sugar shortage problem faced by local retailers.
Its director Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said this to thesundaypost yesterday, adding that it was one of his priorities following his appointment last December.

“In our effort to curb the sugar shortage problem, we are assigning two enforcement officers at every wholesaler to ensure that sugar will reach the retailers. We don’t want wholesalers stocking up sugar supply.”

Further, Uzir urged local retailers to report the matter by calling its KPDNKK Sarawak Hotline at 082-466052, which opens daily from 8 am to 7 pm. Alternatively, they can also log on its website at http://kpdnhep.gov.my.

“Local retailers who have trouble getting their supply can always inform our office through our hotline number or via e-Aduan in our website, after which we will issue a letter immediately to the wholesalers, prompting them to deliver the supply to the retailers. However, this is subjected to whether the wholesalers have the stock or not. If they have it, they must deliver, no matter what.

“Failure to do so on the wholesaler’s part, we will take stern action under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Section 21).

“The retailers, however, should also provide details of their problems so we can take appropriate and immediate actions.”

Under the act, a wholesaler is liable to a fine not exceeding RM15,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both, upon conviction. For repeat offenders, they may face up to RM25,000 in fine or imprisonment for a term not more than five years, or both.

Uzir said the ministry is also keeping checks on sugar supply in the borders, adding that a licence from KPDNKK has to be obtained by retailers to sell sugar within 10 kilometres from the border.

Earlier, he officiated the Shell Carnival held by IES Shell Station at Jalan Tun Razak, in conjunction with Shell’s ‘Weekly RM100,000 Cash’ contest. The event was organised to celebrate the second-week prize winner Teo Lee Choo, who was picked from the station’s lucky draw.

Also present were Shell Timur Sdn Bhd’s regional retail manager Kenny Ku and IES Shell Station operator Ivana Tjong.

On the consumer side, Uzir also highlighted KPDNKK’s Consumerism Programme as one of his priorities for this year.

“Consumerism programme will also be our focus, in which it will centre more on health. We have allocated about RM208,000 for the programme this year,” he said