A nationwide survey of 64 Ramadan bazaars revealed major price gaps in popular items like kuih, roti john and nasi dishes, with Putrajaya, Labuan and Selangor among the priciest.
PERLIS has emerged as the state with the cheapest average food prices this Ramadan, while Putrajaya recorded the highest overall, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
“This survey was conducted at 64 selected Ramadan bazaars across the country from March 5, covering 20 common food items,” DOSM said in a statement today.
DOSM clarified that while the figures offer a snapshot of national pricing, they do not reflect individual consumer experiences as the data was collected using purposive sampling.
Among the standout comparisons was the price of kuih seri muka, which surprisingly cost RM1.80 in Perlis—the highest in the country—despite the state being the most affordable overall. In contrast, the same kuih costs just RM0.60 in Sarawak, Sabah, and Melaka.
For heavier meals, nasi arab with chicken saw the widest spread: RM19 in Putrajaya versus just RM8 in Labuan. Meanwhile, Ayam Golek reached RM35 per bird in Labuan but dipped as low as RM24 in Negeri Sembilan.
Sabah’s prices sat somewhere in the middle, averaging around RM7 per item, with the most expensive being Ayam Golek at RM33. Drinks like sirap bandung and air tembikai were priced below the national average at RM4.80.
Here’s how the top five cheapest regions ranked by average price:
1. Perlis – RM6.31
2. Terengganu – RM6.91
3. Negeri Sembilan – RM6.97
4. Kedah – RM7.00
5. Perak – RM7.02
At the opposite end were Putrajaya, Labuan, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur, all of which had an average item price exceeding RM8.
DOSM added that the survey is aimed at giving the public a general view of price trends and should not be interpreted as definitive across all stalls or regions. - March 28, 2025
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