Consumer associations are becoming increasingly bitter over the sugar shortage affecting the country. One of them urges the authorities to come down hard on those responsible, including using security laws that provide for detention without trial.

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) believes that the sugar shortage is caused by hoarding and smuggling.

The authorities, it said, should stop pussyfooting and use the Emergency Ordinance (EO) against the culprits.

"This problem has been going on since April and there seems to be no let up in the shortage of sugar around the country so tougher action is needed," said Cassa president Dr Jacob George.

The EO, similar to the Internal Security Act, allows for suspects to be held for two years without trial. The government can then extend the detention order.

George said Cassa has been receiving daily reports and complaints from people around the country.

Although primarily focused on consumer issues affecting Subang and Shah Alam, Cassa's hotline number is well known around the country and its popularity has taken its president to Kelantan, Perlis, Melaka and Port Dickson to inspect the situation first hand.

"We've become like a national referral centre," he said.

Ministry being soft

George expressed disappointment with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) which is resorting to the soft method of advising the public through billboards and press statements to consume less sugar and they point fingers at others.

"There's no point in advising people to reduce their consumption of sugar. Yes it's true that high sugar consumption causes health problems and we fully agree with that, but that's a personal choice.

"In areas like Kelantan where women are traditionally the bread-winners by making traditional cakes, cookies and delicacies, they are severely affected by the shortage.

"Similarly around the country, families who are supplementing their income by selling these traditional fairs in stalls to meet the rising cost of living brought on by recent hikes in petrol and electricity prices are badly affected too," he said.

To make matters worse, he said there are some consumer associations departing from consumer interests by asking for an increase in the price of sugar.

George was referring to the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations' (Fomca) call for the government to increase the price of sugar from the current RM1.40 - RM1.45 sen ceiling by 30sen to RM1.70 - RM1.75 per kilogramme.

"This is unbelievable and cannot be understood in today's situation where consumers are braving higher costs of living," he added.

The Cassa president said if the price of sugar goes up, consumer items that have sugar as an important ingredient will definitely go up.

"Beverages like Coca-Cola have standard formulas that their factories around the world have to follow, so it's not just a matter of simply reducing the quantity of sugar used in the Malaysian plant to maintain local prices, and this is the same for all food and beverage products" he added.

Hammer approach

George attributes the sugar shortage to hoarding and smuggling and what he calls 'the black hand' that's manipulating the sugar market.

"We are calling the government to invoke emergency laws, because the economy of the country is being threatened by these people.

"They are subverting the country through their activities and with emergency ordinance we can freeze their accounts, conduct raids, seize their warehouses and conduct arrests," he said.

"The ministry needs to use the 'hammer' approach, not the soft approach because of the severity of the situation," he added.

George asked how smuggling can take place under the noses of the authorities.

"Are there individuals in the enforcement units who are aiding and abetting the smugglers, just as we have seen in the illegal VCD and DVD trade?" he asked.

George does not agree with the MDTCA that the problem lies with the four refineries.

According to Cassa research, last year's production for the domestic market from the refineries amounted to 1.024 million metric tonnes and so far this year production has reached 437,794 metric tonnes.

"This shows that the refineries are producing the required amounts and they need to produce only 70% of their combined capacity to meet local demands," he said.

"The ministry is blaming everyone except themselves. The ministry said the problem will be solved in August, but I don't see this happening because the cause of the shortage hasn't been removed - the movers and shakers are still there, they have not been detained and are still operating so how can you say the problem will be solved?" George continued.

"The ministry is just looking at a fast solution by asking the refineries to increase production without looking at the real issues," he added.

Sugar refineries silent

Although agreeing that the sugar monopoly should be broken, George said the culprits are the distributors and wholesalers because these are the ones with the infrastructure to move sugar supplies and it is this level that should be tackled first.

"But the big boys (referring to the four refineries) are keeping quiet, letting the Ministry of International Trade and Industry do the talking for them, which I think is a rather sad situation," he added.

Addressing the sugar refineries, he said: "If you remain silent, people think you are aiding and abetting because at the end of the day, if the price goes up, you make a killing. If there are irregularities and discrepancies you should be giving the information to the authorities, you have the permits, you should be responsible."

George is also asking who advises the minister (Mohd Shafie Apdal) because strategies are changing all the time suggesting that the ministry is grabbing at straws on how to tackle the problem.

"The minister should meet people like us (consumer groups) who can provide him a better picture of what's happening on the ground.

"We receive feedback all the time through our hotlines and informants and we're willing to give him the benefit of this information and work with him on a sustainable solution.

"But so far he hasn't asked for a meeting," George said.

Tomorrow: Food stalls hit hard by sugar shortage

Part 1: Sugar shortage: End monopoly by 'kings'

Part 2: Time to hike sugar prices to curb shortages?