2,102 wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers can increase food supply stocks by 30% as monsoon season preparation measure, says deputy minister.
SUBANG JAYA: A total of 2,102 selected wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers nationwide have been allowed to increase their food supply stocks by up to 30 per cent, as a preparatory measure for the monsoon season (MTL).
Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the permission was issued through the granting of licenses starting early this month until the end of the monsoon season.
“Through this permission, we allow them to store more stocks. For example, if previously a wholesaler could only store 1,000 packets of sugar, we have increased it by 30 per cent.
“This measure is important in the event of flooding, roads being cut off or lorries unable to enter certain areas. Supplies can still continue because additional stocks are already in the area,” she said.
Ministry of Agriculture ensures national food stockpile sufficient for monsoon season
She said this at the launch of ‘Lokal Lagi Gempak’ in conjunction with the Buy Malaysia Campaign (KBBM) 2025 at Mydin Subang Jaya here today. Also present was Mydin Mohamad Holdings Sdn Bhd (Mydin) managing director Datuk Dr Ameer Ali Mydin.
The ‘Lokal Lagi Gempak’ initiative with Mydin is an effort to support the government in expanding the reach of local products through the provision of market space. The programme starts today until Sunday.
Fuziah further commented that the ministry projected an increase of about 10 per cent in the total sales value of KBBM this year, recording a total sales value of more than RM7.4 billion.
She said the increase of 13.6 per cent compared to RM6.39 billion in 2023 was supported by several factors such as government allocations, initiatives with strategic partners and the expansion of programmes involving networks major retailers nationwide.
“This year the government has allocated RM10 million for the implementation of the KBBM and next year we will receive an additional RM10 million as announced in Budget 2026,” she said.
She said the Ministry of Local Government also set a requirement for all foreign supermarkets operating in Malaysia to ensure that at least 30 per cent of their stock keeping units (SKUs) consist of local products.
“So far, these supermarkets have not only met the requirement but they have also brought these local products to their networks abroad,” she said. – Bernama
