KUCHING, August 29: Coffeeshop operators have been warned not to hike the prices of prepared drinks when the price of sugar is decreased by 10 sen effective September 1.
The warning came from Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Sarawak director Datuk Stanley Tan.
“Effective September 1, we expect the prices of drinks to be at least maintained or decreased since the price of sugar will be decreased by 10 sen. On the other hand, if the prices of drinks are increased, it will be pure profiteering for which they are liable to be fined,” Tan told DayakDaily here today.
He added that various coffeeshops owners’ associations have given their assurance that they will cooperate and not hike prices.
“We have held meetings with them and they assured us of cooperation,” he said.
Tan stressed that starting September 1, his Ministry’s enforcement officers will check all coffeeshops to ensure they will not hike prices of drinks.
Meanwhile, many consumers when met at coffeeshops today expressed hope that the prices of their favourite ‘kopi o’ or ‘teh tarik’ will either be decreased or maintained.
“Let’s hope that the coffeeshop operators will decrease the prices of these drinks as it will help to bring down the cost of living. Even though the amount might not be much but at least it will help especially when we bring our family out for lunch of dinner,” said one Mr Tan when met at ICOM Square here today.
The announcement of the decrease in the price of sugar was made by Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Monday. — DayakDaily
