KUALA LUMPUR, March 31: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will ensure that the supply of basic food necessities is sufficient and available at reasonable prices, especially during the festive season.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), KPDN Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said among the measures taken by the ministry to achieve that goal is through the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme where the ceiling price is set for certain items at a certain period.
He also said the setting of maximum price for chicken and eggs would also be implemented to provide price stability to these two items which are the main source of protein in this country.
“The ministry has established a special Food Supply Chain Research Committee chaired by the KPDN secretary-general (Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof) to conduct monitoring of consumer staples to ensure sufficient and stable basic food supplies.
“The ministry also implemented Ops Terjah to identify supply and price problems of basic goods, zones and areas affected and the level of seriousness, as well as to identify the main cause of supply chain issues and prices of basic necessities,” he said in response to Lubok Antu MP Roy Angau Gingkoi during question time in Dewan Rakyat recently.
Salahuddin also mentioned that collaboration has also been held with other related agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to obtain information on the entire supply chain of basic goods in the country as a first step if there is a trend of shortage of basic food supplies in the country.
“The ministry constantly monitors the issue of sudden price increases that occur through direct monitoring and inspection of the premises experiencing the issue.
“Any trader who is found to be raising the price of goods beyond the ceiling price, a written notice will be issued to the trader and action can be taken against those traders who are found to be making an unreasonable high profit in the sale of goods during the festive season,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
