SIBU: The Sibu Rice Wholesalers’ Association alleges that the 15% Super Tempatan rice is quickly running out of stock and if no new supply is forthcoming it would not be available in the market soon.

The chairman, Yeo Keng Teck, said the supply of five per cent and 10% Super Tempatan rice, subsidised by the government, would also face the same fate if no new shipment arrived.

Bernas godown here is running out of both types of rice.

“Only ‘beras wangi’ and glutinous rice are available,” he told a press conference at the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry office here yesterday.

Yeo said he was unsure what caused the shortage, saying if the supply did not arrive early next month, the situation would get serious.

“We do not know the reason and we are not sure when the new supply will come, maybe early December.

“It seems that the situation is serious this time compared to the time prior to the general election in March,” he said.

The association, he added, was appealing to the authorities concerned to overcome the problem by diverting the excess stock in Kuching and Bintulu here.

“If the situation is not solved quickly, the problem will probably get more serious, especially if there is going to be flood at this time of the year,” Yeo added.

A random survey yesterday however found that there were still bags of 15% Super Tempatan rice at groceries and supermarkets.