GEORGE TOWN – “Even the price of ice cubes is up,” such was Lim Guan Eng’s tone when raising the alarm over rising costs of essential goods.
The DAP secretary-general said that the federal government needs to find ways to reverse the soaring prices of basic necessities including vegetables, fish and meat.
“Never before have Malaysians seen such high prices of daily necessities such as eggs, chicken, bread, vegetables and even ice cubes.
“The federal government must be reminded that these daily necessities, which are not luxury goods, are now at luxury levels. Worse still, they either appear to be uncaring or ineffective and doing nothing to check rising prices,” said Lim in a statement.
He asked if Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi should consider resigning if he is unable to rein in the rising costs.
“The basic necessities, like vegetables, are increasing by more than 100%.
“This morning I distributed nearly 400 food parcels to needy residents in my Bagan parliamentary constituency. I wish to thank corporate sponsors and well-wishers for their contributions,” Lim said, adding that the rakyat are suffering when they go to the markets.
“Basic necessities have escalated to the highest levels, much higher than when Pakatan Harapan was in government, and have severely eroded the purchasing power of the rakyat.
“Not just the B40, but many in the M40 do not know how to make ends meet with the rising prices when they see the price of sawi go up by 100%.”
Lim added that many Bagan people have asked how they can afford rising prices when their salaries are not rising.
Prior to this, Nanta had blamed higher operational costs on the supply chain and assured Malaysians that soaring prices of daily necessities would be resolved by December 9.
“The federal government should bear full responsibility if the prices are not brought down by December 9.
“Will Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob be another failure for not only failing to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and recession, but also the soaring prices of basic necessities?” Lim asked. – The Vibes, November 28, 2021
