High concerns over low availability ahead of Aidilfitri
06/03/2025 (The Star Online), Johor Baru - Consumers here are feeling the strain of a cooking oil shortage, with many hoping the matter can be addressed before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Taman Molek resident Siti Nur Aqilla Omar, 37, said it is difficult to find 1kg bottles of cooking oil and subsidised cooking oil packets, which are palm oil, in her housing area.
“I usually get my supplies from a wholesale market in the Pandan area nearby.
“There, we are limited to two packets of the subsidised cooking oil per person,” she said, adding that these could last her family two weeks.
The mother of three added that she was told by the shop owners that the number of cooking oil packets sold were limited due to low supply.
“This problem should be tackled soon as Hari Raya is coming up and cooking oil is a staple ingredient in preparing festive dishes for our loved ones.
“If the smaller bottles or cooking oil packets are still unavailable, I will have to buy the 5kg bottles, which are much more expensive and add to our already rising cost of living,” said Siti Nur Aqilla.
Skudai resident G. Gaya, 35, prefers to buy the 1kg cooking oil bottles as she does not cook often.
“My husband and I have different work schedules, so I only cook once or twice a week.
“The 1kg bottles are perfect for us as we prefer buying groceries in low quantities.
“Since it is difficult to get the 1kg bottles these days, I have switched to a 3kg bottle, which is taking us a long time to finish. The cost is three times higher, too,” said the administrative assistant.
Insurance agent Tan Soon Guan, 33, said the supply of cooking oil in Gelang Patah where he lives was sufficient but subsidised cooking oil packets were hard to find.
“I recently went to a wholesale chain and a hypermarket chain in Iskandar Puteri but could not find packet cooking oil.
“I am in charge of cooking for my family and usually buy the 5kg cooking oil, which is priced at RM30 as those are the easiest to find,” he said.
Malaysia Consumer Justice Association president R. Permal Ramasamy said there should not have been a shortage of cooking oil as Malaysia is one of the largest producers of palm oil.
He also called for stricter regulation and enforcement against businesses hoarding subsidised cooking oil, highlighting instances where some restaurants stockpiled large quantities.
Permal also encouraged high-income groups to refrain from buying the subsidised cooking oil and allow low-income households to benefit from it.
Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo told The Star there was a minor supply disruption in Mersing following the Chinese New Year, but it was resolved after discussions with wholesalers.
“So far, there have been no major disruptions,” she said.
Lilis added that KPDN was also working on reorganising cooking oil distribution and would engage with repackaging companies, refineries and wholesalers to ensure smooth supply in the coming months.