[UPDATED] Cooperatives can help address surge in prices of goods: PM

BERA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said cooperatives nationwide could play their role to help overcome the problem of rising prices of goods and reduce the stress and financial burden of the people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said one of the ways would be through the setting up of a wholesale cooperative to supply goods in bulk at cheap prices to all cooperatives and this would enable the people to get goods at cheaper prices.

“Cooperatives can play a role in helping to reduce pressure on the people. There are many cooperatives, but most of them buy goods from wholesale shops in small quantities, such as rice or sugar at around 100 to 200 packets a month.

“If it is a special wholesale cooperative, it (cooperatives) can buy in bulk, which will be cheaper. If the price is cheaper, more people will buy at cooperatives,” he said when opening the annual general meeting of the Bera District Smallholders Cooperative in Kg Batu Papan here today.

He said the proposed setting up of a wholesale cooperative would be discussed in more detail with the relevant quarters, including Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar and the Malaysian Cooperative Commission. 

There are about 1,500 cooperatives nationwide where the public can get basic necessities at cheap prices, he said, adding that the government would continue to implement various programmes, including the twice-monthly Malaysian Family Sale in all the 222 parliamentary constituencies nationwide to help ease the financial burden of the people.

He said the government would also provide subsidies to farmers and breeders to help cushion the increase in the price of fertiliser and pesticides.

On the skyrocketing price of chicken, Ismail Sabri said the government had taken steps to address the problem by importing the supply from China and Thailand.

Unfortunately, there are some quarters making false claims on the halal status of the imported chicken, he added.

The prime minister said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has strict standard operating procedures in granting the halal status for imported chicken and should not be doubted.

Before the halal approval is given, Jakim will go to the place to make an inspection first. After it is confirmed that it is halal, then the halal stamp (logo) is issued...this halal status is not only in terms of the slaughtering process, but many other aspects, including cleanliness.

“For the halal process, it also involves the aspect of transportation, where the goods cannot be mixed with non-halal goods,” he added.

Sharing his experience when he was domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, he had proposed to the government to import meat from one Islamic country, but the plan was scrapped after Jakim found it did not meet the aspect on cleanliness, although the slaughter process was halal.

As such, the prime minister called on the public not to worry about the halal status of the imported chicken.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said the price of goods is expected to stabilise early next year as more countries open their economic sectors.

He said movement restrictions were also experienced by countries that export food products to Malaysia, thus resulting in shortage of the supply in the country.

“We breed chickens, but chicken feed comes from abroad, likewise fertilisers and pesticides. When there is little supply of goods in demand, the price will go up.

“I believe this situation will  improve when the countries concerned open their economic sectors and production will return to normal.

“God willing, by early next year, we expect the price of goods to be stable again,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said programmes, such as sale promotion, are organised by the government as an avenue for the people to get goods at cheaper prices, adding that incentives are given to targeted groups to cushion the impact of the price increase.

“I was informed that the price of goods at sale promotion offers a discount of 20% to 50%,” he said, adding that various programmes and projects would continue to be implemented by the government to help reduce the people’s  burden, and safeguard their interests and welfare.

He said this includes improving infrastructure in rural areas whereby the Rural Development Ministry had been allocated an additional RM500 million for the purpose, among others.

“The allocation has been increased to ensure the rural population also get the benefits, such as facilities like village roads,” he added.

On the programme today, Ismail Sabri, who is Bera MP, said it has the Malaysian Family concept as it also involves the participation of the Chinese and Indian community.

“Through this programme, we can strengthen relationships in line with the Malaysian Family concept, where we take care of other people’s families like our own family,” he added.

About 350 children between the ages of five and 12 went through the circumcision in the programme organised by Bera Umno Youth. – Bernama, December 12, 2021