News From : DagangHalal.com (08 Jun 2010)
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) — A suggestion has been made that the government allows direct selling companies to sell sugar and other essential items to prevent a monopoly and resolve the sugar supply crisis that occurs frequently in the country.
Ir Hamim Samuri (BN-Ledang) said although the suggestion might sound comical, the move was seen to be able to open up space and supply sources to help the consumers should there be a crisis in the supply of the commodities.
“The objective is to facilitate the consumers in obtaining these goods if there is a shortage of supply whether at the retail shops or supermarkets,” he said when debating the Direct Selling Bill 2010 at the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.
His views were also supported by Datuk Baharum Mohamed (BN-Sekijang) who stood up for clarification and proposed that besides sugar, the direct selling companies should also be allowed to sell various other essential items including cooking oil and flour.
In his debate, Hamim also asked the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism to consider the proposal adding that there were other methods that could be used to implement the suggestion.
Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Pas-Parit Buntar), in his debate, asked the government to set up a special syariah panel to ensure that the products and services offered by direct selling companies did not contradict Islamic teachings.
He said the panel could protect the consumers, particularly the Muslim community, in terms of ‘halal’ (permissible) or non-halal goods besides building the confidence of the consumers on the products sold.
— BERNAMA