KUNAK: Almost all shops and supermarkets here ran out of both local white rice and imported white rice three days ago following panic buying by consumers.
A Daily Express survey found only higher-priced fragrant rice was available for sale.
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President of the Consumer Front of Sabah (CFOS), Nordin Thani, urged the relevant authorities to conduct immediate monitoring, including a comprehensive audit of the rice supply chain to consumers.
“A thorough audit must be conducted, including sales transactions to consumers, to ensure that the rice supply said to be sufficient can be accessed by all consumers.
“I urge the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and all related agencies to take this matter seriously,” he told Daily Express, here, Tuesday.
Nordin said action must be taken to ensure compliance with regulations, while adding that purchase limits per consumer could be implemented, if necessary.
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He noted that panic buying was among the causes of rice shortages in certain areas, including Kunak, Lahad Datu and Tawau.
He said the audit results are crucial to enable authorities to identify any non- compliance, including possible hoarding activities.
According to Nordin, checking records such as invoices and company sales is necessary to detect any stockpiling activities.
“Consumers should also avoid panic buying,” he said.
Meanwhile, a rice supplier representative said the company assured that rice supplies will be delivered to Kunak by Wednesday at the latest to meet consumer demand, especially for local and imported white rice.
“The attitude of consumers engaging in panic buying is the reason rice supplies are depleted in the market,” he said.
