The Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) has given its assurance that dry and wet food supplies are adequate to face the flood season this year.

Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said KPDNKK was prepared and had met suppliers in flood-prone areas to ensure items of daily need especially food were enough.

"We have also met suppliers away from flood areas to ensure availability of food items if those in flood-prone areas fail to supply food in the event of flood," he told the Dewan Rakyat here, Thursday.

He said this when answering to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) who queried KPDNKK's plan to ensure adequate flood supply during the flood season this year.

In the meantime, Ahmad Bashah said KPDNKK had also issued compounds totalling RM889,206 for various offences in 1.76 million inspections conducted under Op Catut, aimed at monitoring the prices of goods and services, since January this year.

"We have also seized various goods, worth RM1,243,586, during the inspections and monitorings conducted through Op Catut," he said.

Ahmad Bashah said KPDNKK always closely monitored traders, wholesalers and manufacturers to prevent them from raising prices indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, Higher Education deputy minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching said 100,683 applications under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) had been approved this year.

"The loans involved RM2.8 billion until completion of studies," she told Su Keong Siong (DAP-Ipoh Timur).