Compiled by RAGANANTHINI VETHASALAM and C. ARUNO

       TRADERS have started rationing wheat to prevent panic buying and to control supply and prices, reported Kosmo!.

       This comes as the Indian government banned exports of wheat as a scorching heatwave took a toll on supply, which then resulted in an increase in local wheat prices.

       The Russia-Ukraine conflict also affected prices as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest wheat exporters.

       A trader in Kuala Terengganu, Mohd Hilmi Aiman, 34, said the measure was taken to prevent losses, as supply has been disrupted due to India’s ban on exports.

       “Supply was disrupted even before the festive season and the prices have been going up every month. When I sourced from suppliers this time around, wheat was priced at RM2.80 per kg compared to RM2.28 before this,” he added.

       A wholesaler in Kelantan, Mohd Zin Mat, 60, said almost all local shops have run out of supply of subsidised wheat flour.

       He said he has yet to set any quota for sales for the time being. The remaining stocks will be expensive, he added.

       A manager at a wholesale market in Bandar Sunway, Nur Shafiqah Ibrahim, said it is difficult to source for wheat from suppliers as many of them have run out of stock.

       She added that the suppliers, too, do not know when the supply issue would be resolved.

       > There are enough provisions under the Road Transport Act to penalise drivers obstructing ambulances on the road, Sinar Harian reported.

       Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Sidek said an offender could face fines, have his driver’s license suspended or be sent to jail for not giving way to ambulances.

       The National Council of Professors (MPN) Politics, Security and International Affairs Cluster secretary said campaigns similar to ones carried out for anti-drugs and anti-smoking movements are needed to show that obstructing an ambulance is an offence.

       “We assume that drivers are aware and understand the law,” he said, adding that such campaigns are needed to change the attitude of drivers.

       > Actress Normah Damanhuri wore a wig for the character she played in the film Tiga Janda Melawan Dunia.

       “I wear the tudung. But I decided to wear a wig as I didn’t want to show my real hair,” Utusan Malaysia quoted her as saying.

       “Wearing a wig is still okay. That is the limit I can go to show my commitment to this film,” the 68-year-old said.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.