Johor Bahru – It was difficult for consumers to find bottles of 1 kg and 2 kg of local cooking oil in various parts of Johor’s state.
The checks of the star of various trails and supermarkets in Larkin, Tampoi, Pasir Gudang and Kulai have found empty shelves, because the retailers say that the cooking oil has been out of stock since the beginning of 2025.
Mr. Wong Kok Wai, who has a big -generation workshop and various second generation workshops here, said his stock has been low since January while suppliers have ceased to provide 1 kg and 2 kg of edible palm oil.
“A bottle of 1 kg of palm oil sells at around 6.90 RM (S $ 2.10), while a 2 kg bottle is at RM12.70,” he said during the interview.
“Currently, we have other options such as peanut oil, canola oil, corn oil and sunflower oil, which almost cost the palm oil.
“Our supply of subsidized RM2.50 subsidized oil packets is always stable.”
Mr. Wong, who is also secretary of the Johor Federation of Grocery and Didry Goods Merchants Association, added that the shortage of bottled cooking oil was a problem nationwide, probably due to the prices of the raw palm oil “of all time”.
“The global gross palm oil market is expected to increase by 5,300 rm per tonne. Previously, the highest price was 3,800 rm per tonne.
“The factories hesitate to increase production because the sale at prices controlled by the government is not profitable for them.
“5 kg bottled oil is still available at RM30.90, but the supply is limited,” said Wong, advising consumers to buy only what they need.
The controls in several chains of hypermarkets and supermarkets found a shortage of bottles of 1 kg and 2 kg of palm oil, while bottles of 3 kg and 5 kg were available.
Mas Imran Adam, director general of a supermarket chain, said that the problem of cooking oil began last December.
“In January, we only received 25% of our usual supply. If we normally obtain 1,000 tonnes, this time we only received 250 tonnes, “he said.
“Many of our branches are affected. Some outlets may have only one type of cooking oil in stock, while others do not have it at all. The 1 kg and 2 kg cooking oils are particularly rare. »»
Another supermarket owner, Mr. Tiong Foo Kai, said that in recent times, there has been an unexpected increase in the demand for cooking oil.
“Normally, our supply of 250 kg of packet cooking oil can last a week, but now a week’s supply will be taken up in an hour,” he said.
“Even with a purchase limit of three packages per person, customers come in groups to buy in bulk.
“We receive at least 2,000 kg of cooking oil per month, so the offer is there, but we do not understand why people buy panic.”
When contacted, the president of Johor Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee, Lee Ting Han, said that the state government was aware of the issue and examines it.
He said Minister Johor Big ONN Hafiz Ghazi had been alerted to the issue.
“We will call the Ministry of Commerce and the Cost of Inner Living to seek solutions, for example, channeling the offer to more populated areas or adjusting the current supply and quotas system,” added Mr. Lee. The Star / Asia information network
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