by NURUL SUHAIDI / Pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

The government will intervene in the current hike in prices of the essential goods, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

“Next week, I will be chairing a meeting with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) and the Food Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) as well as agencies related with the goods pricing to discuss a comprehensive solution,” he said at the launch of ‘Program Jualan Keluarga Malaysia’ at PPR Kerinchi yesterday.

The programme was launched as part of a strategy to address the pricing issue and reduce the public burden especially whose income had been severely affected by the pandemic.

“This campaign offers essential goods at prices 20% lower than the standard prices,” Ismail Sabri said.

He added that the Program Jualan Keluarga Malaysia will be extended to all 222 parliamentary constituencies nationwide starting December 4 until February next year, focusing in areas where the B40 and M40 communities reside.

As of now, 25 companies are participating in this initiative such as KK Super Mart, 99 Speed Mart, ST Rosyam Mart, Golden Palm Oil Industries, and Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), among others. 

Admitting the price increase accumulated at supply chain level and goes beyond the control of the traders, he stressed that the government will take action on  traders or wholesalers who raise prices without good reason. 

“There are sellers who are taking advantage of the situation and increase their price unreasonably.  We will not compromise those actions especially during these challenging times,” Ismail Sabri said.

He further said farmers are also facing the issue of raising costs for agriculture such as fertiliser and pesticides as well as in operating costs of livestock companies.