KUALA LUMPUR – The special inflation task force will be headed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa while Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz will be assigned as committee member, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In a statement today, Ismail said the taskforce, which will be parked under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, is expected to control the rising price of goods more efficiently and effectively.
The taskforce dubbed “Pasukan Khas Jihad Tangani Inflasi” (Battling Inflation Taskforce) aims to formulate strategies to resolve inflation-related issues by gathering information from relevant ministries and agencies.
“The taskforce was established because of challenges caused by the rising cost of living due to climate change and geopolitical uncertainties, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” he said in a statement today.
Noting that the ongoing war is expected to continue impacting the food and fuel market, he said that an officer from each ministry involved will be appointed as a focal point to provide immediate details to the taskforce.
He added that a press conference will be held after each of its meetings, scheduled to take place twice a week.
Besides Tengku Zafrul, other members of the taskforce include Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Earlier today, the government announced that effective July 1, the new ceiling price for standard chicken will be raised from the current RM8.90/kg to RM9.40/kg for Peninsular Malaysia.
The cabinet also decided to set new ceiling prices for chicken eggs in Peninsular Malaysia – an increase of 2 sen for three categories – at 45 sen each for grade A, 43 sen for grade B and 41 sen for grade C.
Recently, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin called on his fellow Umno Supreme Council members to remove Tengku Zafrul from his ministerial post over issues surrounding Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).
Zahidi, whose ministry is overseeing the implementation of the country’s 5G roll-out under DNB, had previously urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to initiate an investigation into the Finance Ministry-owned special purpose vehicle.
He alleged that there was a lack of transparency involving its financial dealings, including the supposed ballooning of the cost to build the telecommunications network system. – The Vibes, June 29, 2022
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