Sweet Politics

1國會選區1批發商　確保白糖充足


國內貿易與消費人事務部計劃在全國各地推行「一個國會選區一個批發商」計劃，以整頓全國各地的白糖批發商運作，從而確保各地市面上的白糖供應充足，不會短缺或停供。

According to Dato Tan Lian Hoe, Timbalan Menteri Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, the ministry will implement a project called "1 Parliament Seat 1 wholesaler" to ensure proper distribution and security of supply of sugar.

副部長拿督陳蓮花指出，目前白糖供應充足，唯一問題是白糖運輸的問題，由於運輸路程距離的關係，一些商家基於路程遠，也不願運輸白糖到偏遠地區。目前，霹州白糖有者從檳州運抵，也有霹州白糖供應至雪州。

According to the Deputy Minister, the supply of sugar is sufficient but the only problem is with the distance of supply runs. Some suppliers refused to transport sugar to remote places. Presently, there are sugar obtained from Perak being delivered from Penang and some sugar in Perak being supplied to Selangor.

她說，為了減少這類問題產生，部門將推行「一個國會一個批發商」計劃，通過遴選地方上的批發商，以供應地方上白糖市場需求，零售商店業者可直接向有關批發商拿貨，令白糖供應迅速恢復，不會短缺。

To address these issues, the ministry would launch the above project, via the appointed sugar supplier designated according to parliamentary seat boundaries, to cater to the sugar demands of the market. Retailers can directly obtain supply from the appointed wholeseller to ensure no shortage of sugar supply.

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The Deputy Minister has articulated the problem of sugar supply well, i.e. fault in supply chain, transport route and business community emphasizing on profitable routes etc

What I cannot comprehend is, the solution of the supply route can be solved by a "supply grind" designed by Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya. Did SPR consulted the Transport Minsitry, Lorry Drivers' Association, reputable logistic companies, public transport companies to iron all these out?

I wonder if the criteria SPR used in chalking up seat areas reconcile perfectly with the supply route in this country. The article unfortunately did not state if the deputy minister explained how the supply route grind within each constituency is the best designed route system.

I heard plenty of griping about gerrymandering like something like 5,000 voters in Putrajaya and 50,000 voters in Kapar or stuff like that..... so I suppose this complaint, notably by Bersih is unfounded because per the Ministry's plan, there is no such thing as gerrymandering and SPR actually designed constituency areas by supply route.

Call me paranoid or whatever, giving a wholesaler a "ministry stamp" sounds like a tacit monopoly endorsement to me. In large constituency areas like Seputeh, why interfer with market? What is the criteria for selection and is the supplier list for controlled items a public document? What would happen to the other wholesellers/suppliers in the market?

We usually hear criticism about don't politicalise this and politicalise that so by fitting sugar supply chain into designated political arena, yeah right, I am not suppose to politicalise this......