Contributors advised to buy food items from outside flood-hit states

IPOH, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has advised those who wish to contribute food and essentials to flood victims to purchase them from outside the disaster-hit areas.

Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Rosol Wahid said this was to prevent a shortage of food supply in the affected areas, which will then make it difficult for the flood victims to purchase basic necessities.

“We advise those wanting to contribute not to take (supply of essential items) in the affected areas. For example, if there is a flood in Ipoh, those providing aid must not take goods from Ipoh and also use local products,” he said.

He said this at a media conference after launching the Malaysian Products Carnival 2022 at Mydin Mall Meru Raya here today which was also attended by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, National Integration and Civil Society Committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Yunus Jamahri.

Rosol also advised traders not to take advantage by raising the prices of goods during floods and urged the public to report such unscrupulous traders so that action could be taken against them.

“The KPDNHEP has also given permission to selected wholesalers and retailers nationwide to store supplies of basic necessities, like cooking oil, flour, sugar and rice, of more than 30 per cent for flood preparations,” he said.

Previously, Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah was reported to have said that a transitional phase of the monsoon is expected to begin from Oct 3 until November.

During the monsoon transition phase, the region will receive weak winds from various directions that are very conducive to thunderstorms, leading to short episodes of heavy rains and strong winds.

This will usually occur in the evenings and earlier parts of the nights in most areas in the states on the West Coast and interiors of the Peninsula, west Sabah and central Sarawak.

-- BERNAMA