07/01/2008 (The Star Online), Putrajaya - The Government will ensure there is enough supply of cooking oil for all Malaysians, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"We are having an important meeting to discuss the current shortage of cooking oil in the country," he said before chairing the Cabinet Committee on the Competitiveness of the Palm Oil Industry Cabinet Monday.

He said there should be enough cooking oil available in the country whenever people needed it.

"We don't want housewives to start complain about this," he said, adding that this was among the problems facing the country.

He said Malaysia being the world's largest oil palm producer was now faced with a shortage of cooking oil.

"We want to ensure that there is enough supply of palm oil and cooking oil in the country for people to use," he said.

Abdullah who was speaking to officers and staff at the monthly gathering of Prime Minister's Department took the opportunity to wish civil servants a Happy New Year and urged them to increase efficiency and productivity as part of their New Year resolutions.

He also congratulated them for improving the public delivery system and urged them to continue improving and increasing efficiency.

He said civil servants should be proud of the achievements in the past year and strive to further improve this year.

"You must continue to add value to yourselves and the systems, products and services you produce or offer.

"Equip yourself with the latest knowledge to improve quality and achieve excellence," he said.