by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by TMR

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) has urged the federal government to maintain the ceiling price of chicken and chicken eggs, as well as bottled cooking oil subsidies.

In a statement today, the PH cost of living committee has described the removal of these measures as “half-baked and hasty”.

As such, the committee advised the government to review the abolition of ceiling prices and subsidies effective July 1 as it will cause inflation to increase and burden the people.

It also called for additional subsidies to be given to poultry farmers and traders according to the situation, to ensure a continuous supply of products.

Additionally, the committee noted that the price of cooking gas barrels and RON95 should also be maintained, and agreed with the government’s move not to raise water and electricity tariffs.

It also urged the PH presidential council and Malaysians to jointly launch massive protests across the country over the government’s failure to curb the rising cost of living.

The government will stop subsidising bottled cooking oil (2kg, 3kg and 5kg) effective July 1, but cooking oil sold in 1kg poly bags would continue to be subsidised.

The new ceiling price for chicken will be announced soon, although there will be no more ceiling prices for chicken eggs starting this Friday.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob also announced an increase in the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia (BKM) cash aid following the rising cost of goods.

Meanwhile, PH has suggested the government utilise the proceeds from the “prosperity tax” to help the people and postpone mega projects such as Mass Rapid Transit 3, East Coast Rail Link and Tun Razak Exchange.

“We also propose that the allowances of CEO and board members of government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies be reviewed,” it added.

Besides that, the committee advised Ismail Sabri to downsize his Cabinet members and cut ministerial allowances as well as end the special envoys to the Middle East, China, East Asia and South Asia.

It also called on the government to reduce all forms of overseas trips and visits, as well as cancel the holiday costs of Cabinet ministers this year.