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KOTA KINABALU – Sabahans need not panic-buy as the supply of basic necessities is sufficient, a state government official has assured.
State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry office director Georgie Abas said checks conducted since Saturday showed that supply is enough at all levels – manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.
There was no panic-buying observed during inspections of 192 public markets, 13 supermarkets, and 140 grocery stores and mini-marts in all Sabah districts, he added.
He said the ministry has been monitoring the supply of basic items, including controlled goods like sugar, cooking oil and flour, since the movement control order (MCO) took effect last March.
Sabah is under the conditional MCO, which is due to be lifted on Thursday.
Abas said there are 200 enforcement and 90 price-monitoring officers conducting checks statewide.
The ministry has also appointed 170 district retailers and 89 district wholesalers throughout Sabah for the purpose of monitoring the supply of basic necessities.
It has activated an operations room to receive complaints and field inquiries related to the supply of goods.
Traders are reminded not to take advantage of the Covid-19 situation by hiking prices, with those found to be charging unreasonably high prices to face action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. – The Vibes, January 11, 2021
