Rationing of Cooking Oil in Malaysia

Just in case you didn't know, Malaysia being the world's number palm oil producer has to resort to a rationing of cooking oil effective from 7 Jan 08. What a way to start the new year.

What cooking oil?
* The one that you would use to cook your food. That's the one.

How much are you allowed to buy during the rationing period?
* Each buyer is allowed to purchase only 5kg.

Reason for such rationing?
* To curb a shortage blamed on smuggling and panic-buying triggered by price-hike rumours.

Who will be affected the most?
* Restaurants, food stall operators and vendors.

I guess normal consumers like me won't be affected much as my family seldom cook at home. But the rationing of restricting people to only 5kg purchase is ridiculous. I could send my whole family entourage of 10 persons and I would have 50kg at one go. Do it a few rounds in few other supermarkets in a day I would be able to buy up the stocks in the city. The same would be thought of by the restaurant owners and food stall operators. They will send their staff to buy.

So, what buying restriction is the government talking about then? Are they going to check your identity card or any form of identifications (not from same work place) to ensure that you guys are not buying in bulk? Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs - please enlighten us.

The government may not be telling the truth on the cause of shortage. It was understood that cooking oil producers are not producing that many due to increase in cost of production. And as the cooking oil is a price controlled item, meaning the government sets the selling price, the cooking oil producer reduced the number of output and thus the shortage being experienced now.

The rationing will stop when the cooking oil supply is back to normal. How does it work? Increase the price of cooking oil??????
Tags: Cooking Oil, Rationing of Cooking Oil, Malaysia, Palm Oil, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs