Hassan denies his statement causes panic buying

PASIR GUDANG - Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim denies that the revelation he made on the shortage of local white rice, cooking oil, sugar and chicken eggs has caused panic buying.

The member of the Domestic Trade, Entrepreneurship, Cost of Living and Agriculture special select committee said his statement was backed by evidence after he conducted a survey and met with the residents, here.

“My statement was not to cause panic buying. I issued the statement two, three days ago and today it is proven through a visit at Pasar Raya Maslee Taman Cendana here, that there have been no supplies for five days.

“The supermarket’s general manager said people were forced to buy imported rice. I did not intend to cause panic buying as I am aware that I can be charged under the Sedition Act,” he said.

He said this in a press conference after the visit with Johor Paddy and Rice Authority (KPB) director Mohd Alief Sabeh as well as the state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry at the supermarket, today.

On Saturday, Hassan in a statement urged the ministry to hold a Rahmah sale in the district to overcome the issue of shortages of local white rice, cooking oil, granulated sugar and egg supplies.

He added that the lack of local white rice in the district was caused by communication issues.

“The supplies come, but it would be quickly depleted in the market and there were cases of five-kilogramme local white rice packets being sold at twice the price,” he said.

He said since he revealed the matter, the government has given more attention to the supply issue in Pasir Gudang and the Rahmah sale would be held next month to overcome the issue.

“I advise the public to purchase local white rice according to its availability, don’t panic buy. We have seen the supplies in the Bernas factory in Pasir Gudang earlier and were told that it was sufficient for people in Johor,” he said.