The 142.56 tonnes of sugar, in 10×20 ft containers, was imported from the peninsula to cater to urgent needs here.

Labuan domestic trade and consumer affairs department director Junaidah Arbain said the sugar was imported by three wholesalers.

“I have contacted them and I was made to understand that there are unresolved issues between them and their appointed agents on clearance with the port operator.

“We hope they are able to resolve the issues as soon as possible so that the sugar can be released,” she said.

Junaidah said the longer the wholesalers let the sugar lie stranded at the port, the more charges they would have to bear.

She said Labuan had been facing a shortage of sugar supply since late last year with supermarkets and hypermarkets having to place a limit of one packet per customer.

“Some supermarkets and hypermarkets are running out of stocks,” she said.

She said the ministry had approved nine wholesalers here to import sugar from two main suppliers in the peninsula.

According to her, Labuan needs at least 120 tonnes of sugar every month for its estimated 110,000 population.