ALOR STAR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has assured that the state's sugar supply scarcity is expected to be resolved by June 1.
State ministry office director Affendi Rajini Kanth said supplies would stabilise after the major sugar production factory restored operations to optimal capacity after facing technical issues.
He said due to the technical issues in the factory's refinery, production of sugar within the state had declined from 400 metric tonnes per day to just 250 metric tonnes per day.
"This temporary disruption in supply over the past two weeks can be attributed to technical issues and ongoing repairs at a major sugar production factory. There is only one factory here.
"The sugar producers have reassured us of their commitment to resolve the issue, and starting from June 1, sugar producers have promised to expedite efforts to restore the sugar supply to its previous state," he said during a press conference after chairing a meeting between the state ministry office and 14 Kedah sugar wholesalers.
Affendi also assured that sugar prices had been set to a controlled price of RM2.85 per kg.
He said any sales conditions imposed by retailers to limit the sale of sugar and to hoard sugar supply would not be tolerated by the ministry.
"We have received complaints regarding the imposition of conditions, where the purchase of regular coarse sugar is tied to the purchase of premium fine sugar.
"The ministry does not impose any such conditions and we will not compromise with any conditions imposed on buyers or any other parties involved in this issue.
"Such sale conditions are not permissible under the Supply Control Act 1961 and sugar price will remain at the controlled price," he added.
Commenting further, Affendi denied rumours that the sugar supply shortages within the state were caused by the anticipation of an increase in sugar prices.
He stressed that the shortages stem directly from the technical issues relating to the refining process of sugar production at the factory.
"The rumours surrounding the increase in sugar prices are a misconception resulting from the proposal for the introduction of premium sugar.
"In reality, there have been no issues, directives, or decisions to raise the price of regular coarse sugar by RM1 or RM1.50 per kg," he said.
He added that the state ministry office had yet to receive any official complaints or reports of hoarding supply of sugar by any party.
"If such information comes to our attention, appropriate action will be taken," he added.