ALOR STAR: The Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) wants the government to take immediate action to ensure sufficient supply of essential goods, especially eggs and cooking oil, for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
Cake president Yusrizal Yusoff said there were still concerns about adequate supply of goods for consumers in the state.
"Although the supply of eggs in large supermarkets appears to be stable, stocks in smaller shops remain scarce.
"During this school holiday season, we can see a high demand for eggs but the supply is still insufficient in the state, even though the government has moved to import them.
"After the end of the school holidays, demand for eggs may decrease but the Chinese New Year celebration will take place within two to three weeks' time. Demand (for eggs) is expected to increase and we are hoping that the problem will be resolved as soon as possible.
"At the same time, cooking oil remains scarce. It is an ongoing issue that has yet to be resolved," he said when met after carrying out a price and supply check at the Pasar Besar Alor Star market here today.
Meanwhile, market traders in Pasar Besar Alor Star complained about their inability to obtain regular supply of eggs from their suppliers since mid-December.
Trader Milatul Shamsul Mohd Fauzi, 36, said the situation had affected many of his customers, including food stall traders.
"Customers, especially traders, have complained to me but I can't do anything. The suppliers only send their stock to us once or twice a week," he added.
Shamsul, who has been trading at the market for over eight years, said the scarce supply meant that he had to limit the number of eggs sold to each customer.
"The supplies that are sent are also limited. Before I could take up to 40 cartons of eggs but I can only get half of that currently.
"So, I have to limit sales to my customers. Usually, when the stock arrives, it will be sold out in less than a day."
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