Govt monitoring prices of goods since inception of MCO, says minister

KAJANG, May 20 – Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government has always been sensitive to consumer complaints and had begun to control the prices of goods since the inception of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

He said this when commenting on complaints received that the government was slow in controlling the prices of essential goods ahead of Aidilfitri.

In fact, he said, he regularly liaised with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee to discuss the matter.

“In the first week of the MCO we also held discussions with all the industry players, manufacturers, wholesalers and supermarkets (to discuss the price of goods),” he told reporters after inspecting the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme at a supermarket here, today.

About the Festive Season Price Control Scheme, Nanta said checks had been carried out at all the major markets and supermarkets nationwide today.

“All wet markets reportedly sell standard chicken at a maximum retail price of RM7.50 per kilogramme

“An inspection at the supermarket shows that chicken was priced between RM7 and RM7.40 per kg  which is lower than the maximum price,” he said, referring to recent complaints about a sudden rise in the price of chicken.

– BERNAMA