08/01/2008 (NST Online), Kuala Lumpur - There should no longer be a shortage of cooking oil in the country, as from today 70,000 tonnes of it will flood the market.

This is a result of the government raising the production quota for subsidised cooking oil from the current 55,000 tonnes a month.

The interim measure comes just days after the government had announced rationing of cooking oil, limiting consumers to 5kg of the commodity per buyer.

The move will not only put a stop to the rationing but will also ensure adequate supply for the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal gave an assurance yesterday that the shortage would be immediately resolved.

"The 70,000 tonnes of cooking oil account for almost 50 per cent more than our usual supply.

"We will flood the market first and then gauge the demand later before deciding the final amount needed," he said.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board had been asked to direct all the manufacturers and refineries to fulfil the quota by today.

"We expect the issue to be completely resolved within this week and all states should get their cooking oil supply in a week or two."

The ministry, he said, had no plans to increase the price of cooking oil despite requests from the manufacturers.

On the supply of price-controlled items for the Chinese New Year celebration, Shafie said consumers would not face any problems.