Johor: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has urged the public to be the eyes and ears of the ministry and report shortages of bottled cooking oil in their areas. Johor KPDN director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo emphasized the importance of public collaboration to ensure a continuous supply of cooking oil, especially as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season approaches.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lilis Saslinda Pornomo stated that the ministry has already held meetings with three leading cooking oil refineries in Johor and supermarket chains to address supply issues. The ministry plans to monitor the situation closely and encourages the public to report any shortages immediately. The shortage is attributed to the rise in global crude palm oil prices and the government’s price ceiling policy, which has affected companies’ ability to cover operational costs.

In response to these challenges, the government is considering providing special incentives to assist companies in increasing the production and supply of cooking oil in the market. Lilis Saslinda Pornomo expressed confidence that with these intervention measures, the cooking oil supply in Johor will be sufficient leading up to and following the Aidilfitri festive season.

Additionally, she noted that although no complaints have been received regarding overpriced food at Ramadan bazaars in the state, Johor KPDN will continue regular inspections to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali highlighted the importance of the government’s immediate intervention to secure a sufficient supply of bottled palm cooking oil over the next three months.