KOTA KINABALU: The government has implemented additional measures to ensure an ample supply of white sugar in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan during the Aidilfitri celebration.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) minister Datuk Armizan Ali said there are only two local sugar manufacturers, Malaysia Holding Berhad (MSM) and Central Sugar Refinery (CSR).
"Considering that the processing of filtered white sugar is only done in factories in Peninsular Malaysia, additional strategies are necessary to ensure supply stability for the states of Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan due to shipping factors involved via sea transport.
"Through these additional strategies, sugar supply in the Sabah market has increased for March 2024, in conjunction with Ramadan and preparation for Syawal, totalling 6,980.32 metric tons (MT) as compared to the previous two months of February (5,156.34 MT) and January (4,781.52 MT).
"For April 2024, the target is to ensure delivery of 6,119.80 MT, excluding delivery to the Federal Territory of Labuan, which is 190 MT," he told the media after visiting the Gudang Sazarice Sdn Bhd at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) II here.
Armizan, who is also Papar member of parliament, said the first shipment via sea transport departed on April 3.
To ensure supply stability, he said KPDN is proactively monitoring the distribution network of supply production at all levels to ensure market adequacy and meet consumer demand.
"This includes establishing direct cooperation with manufacturers, wholesalers and even retailers.
"KPDN Sabah has collaborated with port authorities to expedite vessel clearances for controlled items including sugar, especially upon requests from any controlled goods wholesaler in Sabah."
He said KPDN Sabah has implemented OPS Kristal since the beginning of 2024, aimed at daily monitoring and inspecting the status of sugar supplies at both wholesale and retail levels.
From January 1 to April 5 this year, the authorities recorded 18 cases of law violations under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
KPDN also received 17 complaints from consumers regarding sugar supply shortages in the market from January 1 to March 31.