KOTA KINABALU: A business group here is proposing that the state venture into sugarcane cultivation and a sugar refinery as a long term measure to overcoming the shortage of the commodity.
Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Baisul Khan Salman Faris said Sabah would not face a problem with domestic demand for sugar if it had its own supply.
He said the current sugar shortage had been felt since the beginning of the fasting month, and the situation was causing problems for the business community notably coffee shop operators.
He said while the authorities had assured consumers that sugar supplies were coming in, there were still no stocks in the shops.
“This Hari Raya is shaping up to be a bleak one with housewives unable to get sugar to make cookies and other kuih,” he said.
In this regard, he said the government should not limit the importation of sugar into Sabah by allowing only two wholesellers to do so.
“It appears the authorities have little say in the amount and how sugar is being imported and distributed,” Baisul Khan said, adding that cement shortage in Sabah had stabilised since the state set up its own cement plant.
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