by NURUL SUHAIDI / pic by BERNAMA

THE Maximum Price Scheme for Aidilfitri will be implemented from April 26 to May 6, 2022, involving 22 items.

The scheme is meant to control the pricing of essential goods for the upcoming Aidilfitri season.

Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the scheme, enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, would be implemented to stabilise the price of goods and their supply during Ramadhan and the Aidilfitri celebration, which falls on May 3.

“The total of price-controlled items under the scheme involves 22 types of goods under the category of sea fish, chicken, eggs, dried goods, vegetables and meat,” he said.

“This is part of the intervention to reduce the burden among the public who will have to bear the rising cost of goods during Aidilfitri,” he said in a press conference.

He added that the chicken and eggs demand is expected to remain high alongside other food items before May 3, 2022.

“The price of goods according to states is determined based on the current market price and taking into account price change factors.”

“Price change factors such as affected prices from the country of origin, for the imported goods, currency exchange rate changes and increased farmer utility costs,” he added.

“As of now, the scheme will be ongoing for the stipulated period until May 6 only,” Nanta Linggi said.

Price monitoring will be carried out in all regions throughout the country based on the set price during the duration to ensure compliance.

“KPDNHEP enforcement members will be at the prime location or supermarkets to carry out inspection ensuring the compliance by traders throughout the period implementation of this scheme,” he said.

“Therefore, we also urge the public to make use of the scheme or report any violations through the provided channel so that we can monitor and identify the irresponsible parties based on the report.” He reminded that stern action can be taken against traders who fail to comply with the rules under this scheme based on Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 regulation.

Explaining further, the minister added that KPDNHEP and Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) will continue to ensure a sufficient supply of chicken and foods in the market even after the Aidilfitri season.

In response to that, MAFI is expected to increase the production quota of essential food items by 30%, particularly chicken and meat in preparation for Aidilfitri next month.

According to Bernama, its Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said also affirmed to the industry players that the supply of essential food items for the festive season would be sufficient.

“People do not have to worry about the supply because the government is always monitoring it from time to time,” he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Family Sales Programme for the Pasir Puteh parliamentary constituency.