PUTRAJAYA – A permanent secretariat, led by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and Economy Ministry, will be established in the near future to address issues related to the cost of living.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said this was as his ministry cannot work alone to address such matters.
The secretariat, which will be headed by the secretaries-general of the two ministries and comprise officials from the Statistics Department (DoSM) and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), will present a comprehensive plan to deal with cost of living issues, he said.
“We agreed to establish a permanent secretariat for these two ministries, which will, at any time, be able to hold meetings, meetings, engagements, seminars, workshops, and the like so that we can move forward more efficiently,” he told reporters after receiving a donation of basic food from Syarikat Tamin Sdn Bhd at his ministry, here today.
Prior to that, Salahuddin held a two-hour meeting with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, which was also attended by DoSM and EPU officials.
Describing the meeting as fruitful, Salahuddin said that several matters were discussed, including the implementation of short- and long-term programmes related to the cost of living.
Next, he plans to hold engagement sessions with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, the Transport Ministry, and the Local Government Development Ministry – as well as other ministries which are members of the National Action Council on the Cost of Living.
When asked about the country’s food supply situation, Salahuddin said that feedback received from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry showed it would thus far be sufficient until the Christmas celebration.
“(My ministry) will continue to monitor the stability of goods in the market, and will continue to monitor the price control scheme for the Christmas celebration, which was launched recently,” he said.
Regarding the donation of basic food items received today, he said that the items will be coordinated by the Food Bank Malaysia secretariat, under his ministry, to be distributed to flood victims. – Bernama, December 22, 2022
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