CHARITY begins at home. That was my first thought when I read that the government will not allow subsidised sugar and flour to be sold to foreigners (”No more cheap sugar, flour for Thais and Singaporeans” - NST, Jan 16).

Our controlled food items are meant for locals.

Since these products are more expensive in neighbouring countries, their citizens are making a beeline to our country to buy such goods, thus creating an artificial shortage.

With this ban, one hopes that locals will not face a shortage of cooking commodities any more. The authorities need to be diligent in stopping smugglers from siphoning off our food to neighbouring countries.

HAMDAN IBRAHIM, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – January 17, 2008