07/01/2008 (The Star Online), Penang - Until the cooking oil supply is back to normal, economy rice seller Lim Chin Aik is cutting down on the amount of food that he normally prepares for his customers.

Lim, who operates a stall at a coffeeshop in Pulau Tikus, said he needed to use at least 10kg of cooking oil daily for his dishes, which included deep fried fish and chicken. 

He said it was impossible for him to prepare the usual amount of food with the 5kg limit on the purchase of palm-based oil. 

“Lately, I have had to make more visits to sundry shops for my cooking oil supply. Some shops are taking advantage of the shortage and selling the oil at RM14.40 per bottle, which is 90 sen higher than the normal price,” he complained. 

Char kuey teow seller Au Chong Toh said the limit on the sale of cooking oil would definitely affect hawkers. 

“I usually buy a few bottles of cooking oil at one time as I use palm oil and lard for my frying. Now I have to make more trips to the hypermarket,” he added.

Au said he would probably use more lard if the shortage of palm-based oil continued. 

A seafood restaurant operator, who only wished to be named as Song, said he was worried about the oil shortage.

“For the past two weeks I have had to get the cooking oil from sundry shops and mini markets as most of the hypermarkets ran out of stock,” he added.

Tan Joo Hai, who operates a food stall in Weld Quay, said he was not affected as he usually bought packs of 17kg cooking oil which were still being sold without any restriction.