Labuan residents facing a critical shortage of sugar can anticipate a swift resolution, as Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali assured that the crisis will be addressed by Wednesday at the latest. The minister’s proactive response comes in the wake of an official complaint lodged by Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, who raised concerns about the dwindling sugar supply in the region.
Armizan disclosed that 118.8 tonnes of sugar, a household staple, have been dispatched from Sabah and peninsular Malaysia to Labuan. The supply is intended for distribution to wholesalers and traders to ensure the seamless availability of sugar to the local population.
The minister, apprised of the sugar supply disruption through the official complaint, wasted no time in directing the ministry’s headquarters to take immediate action.
According to Bernama, speaking at a press conference following his participation in the final round of the 2024 Inter-Higher Education Institution (IPT) Consumerism Debate Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Cup, Armizan shared, “Additional sugar supply from Port Klang has been sent to Labuan. God willing, this issue will be resolved.”
Labuan residents have recently voiced their difficulties in obtaining sugar supplies, with local news portals and social media platforms such as Facebook highlighting the severity of the issue. The shortage has raised concerns among consumers, prompting the government to address the matter urgently.
Minister Armizan pinpointed the distant location of Labuan from the primary sources of sugar supplies as the primary cause of the problem. This geographical challenge has significantly disrupted the supply chain, leaving the island territory grappling with an inadequate sugar stock.
As the government takes decisive steps to alleviate the sugar shortage, Labuan residents await the imminent arrival of the additional sugar supply. The incident underscores the vulnerability of remote regions to logistical challenges, emphasising the need for strategic measures to ensure the consistent availability of essential commodities like sugar.
