MIRI – The apparent “tidak apa” attitude by the federal government on the rising prices of essential goods has led DAP’s Batu Kawah candidate Dr Kelvin Yii to highlight the plight of the residents that he visited recently.
“The failure and ‘tidak apa’ attitude of this Umno-Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) federal government in controlling this price hike is extremely disappointing.
“Mind you, all this has come during a pandemic that many are still struggling to cope with. Essentially, Sarawakians are now hit with triple crises – Covid-19, the economy, and rising living costs.”
Dr Yii recently visited residents of PPR Batu Kawah, who are concerned over the soaring prices of daily goods.
“(The price of) almost everything is going up. Prices of vegetables, chicken, fish, and other raw goods have seen an exorbitant increase in price. The only thing that’s not rising is the salary of the common rakyat,” he said in a Facebook post.
He claimed that GPS leaders have not even shown any concern on the rising cost of goods in Sarawak.
“It is time for sound policy interventions and measures in the form of social development in economy, health, social support and protection, opportunities, and empowerment for youth and women – which the GPS government has neglected all this while.
“What’s the point of Sarawak investing in mega projects and big buildings when the rakyat can’t even afford to put food on the table?”
Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry expects the prices of daily necessities to fully stabilise by January.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid yesterday said monitoring and inspections carried out found that the prices of goods had begun to stabilise, with vegetables showing a drop in prices.
“We expect by January or February (prices of goods) to stabilise again.”
He added that the Malaysian Family Sales Programme is being implemented in all 222 parliamentary constituencies nationwide until March next year.
“If there is a need after that, we may continue. But even if the prices have stabilised, we will continue to monitor the situation.” – The Vibes, December 12, 2021
