JOHOR BARU: The government's move of approving some 37 companies to import sugar is not an indication that there is a lack of sugar problem in the country, says Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said that it was not an out-of-the-ordinary move and that it had nothing to do with the supply of sugar.
"In the past, the ministry has also issued licences to companies that wanted to sell (sugar) to the industry.
"It is a normal thing. There is nothing weird about it. The important thing is for us to continue supporting the companies in facing any difficulties, including in terms of getting foreign workers.
"For now, the price of sugar is still at RM2.85 per kg for coarse sugar and RM2.95 per kg for fine sugar," he told reporters after launching the Payung Rahman initiative at a mall here in Johor Baru.
He also said that any complaint involving the lack of sugar would be addressed by the ministry in a matter of hours.
"For now, we do not have a major crisis. However, I admit that at times, there will be some storage in certain parts of the country.
"In such a situation, I urge the public to make complaints to the ministry and we will tackle it within a few hours," he said.
It was earlier reported that the government has given its approval to 37 companies to import 285,700 tonnes of refined white sugar this year.
In a statement on Friday (July 14), the ministry said that the approval was a proactive step to ensure stability in the supply of sugar by facilitating the Approved Permit (AP) process for importing refined white sugar.
On a separate matter, Salahuddin also said that some 1.1 million people from the B40 category and the poor have benefitted from the Rahmah initiative since April this year.
"We are in the midst of coming out with the Rahmah Economy plan to revolutionise the variety of programs under the Rahmah initiative for the targeted group to reduce their burden," he said.
He said that the plan is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next month.
