Sabahans lament over shortage of cooking oil supply

The shortage of cooking oil supply, especially in 1kg packets, have stirred various reactions among the consumers in Sabah.

A check by Bernama at several supermarkets and sundry shops here revealed that most of these premises did not have sufficient cooking oil supply for that particular type.

A food seller, who wanted to be known only as Nina, said the shortage had caused major problem to many, especially food sellers like her, as cooking oil was regarded as a very essential item to them.

"This is really troublesome. I sell fried noodles, pastries and dishes which require cooking oil," she told Bernama here on Monday.

For Stacy Yong, she had to look for cooking oil at various other places.

"Retailers are hiding cheap cooking oil, while the consumers have to look for it everywhere. Restaurant operators also seemed to have increased food prices due to this problem," she said.

Another consumer, who wanted to be identified only as Julie, said the shortage of cooking oil supply had caused many people to beat the crowd upon hearing information about cooking oil being sold at any supermarket or sundry shop.

"Previously, the relevant authorities said that the cooking oil supply would always be sufficient, but what is happening now is the other way around," she chided. -- Bernama