PANIC BUYING LEADS TO SUGAR SHORTAGE IN TERENGGANU

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), May 12 (Bernama) -- Panic buying following
media reports of sugar shortage in the northern states has caused retail shops
and supermarkets in Terengganu, east coast state in Peninsular Malaysia, to run
out of the commodity.

Hence, the director of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry,
Terengganu, Mohd Hilmi Mohd Noor, today advised the people not to resort to
panic buying as there was sufficient supply of sugar in the state.

"Terengganu gets 1,800 tonnes of sugar monthly and we also have 18 tonnes
for emergency purposes statewide. So, people need not panic and purchase large
quantities of sugar to be kept at home," he told reporters here Tuesday.

He said those who planned to hold special ceremonies or "kenduri"
(feasts)and needed a massive quantity of sugar could come to the ministry's
office and get the approval to purchase the sugar directly from the wholesaler.

Meanwhile, a check by Bernama at two supermarkets here found that each
consumer was allowed to purchase only two kilogrammes of sugar.

According to the supermarket staff, who insisted on anonymity, the action
taken by the management to limit the purchase of sugar to two kg for each
consumer had been implemented over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, a wholesaler who wanted to be known only as Mei Hong, said she
had been facing sugar shortage since last Sunday due to the panic buying.

"Actually, the sugar supply is sufficient. My store used to have 10 tonnes
of sugar, which usually lasts a month, but since the news of the sugar shortage
broke, the 10-tonne supply only lasts for about a week," she added.

-- BERNAMA



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