SEREMBAN – The Negri Sembilan Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) has identified chicken suppliers and traders who raised their prices for chicken arbitrarily.
Two notices were issued by the state’s KPDNHEP to the raw chicken suppliers on April 15 and 16.
Its director, Ain Arjuna Aziz Zaman, said the notices are aimed at nipping price hike problems in the bud and curbing arbitrary and unreasonable increases.
“We will supervise the situation based on the power given to the ministry in accordance with the situation... through the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) to ensure the people can enjoy the best prices.
“Normally, chicken is among the items always included in the list of goods in the SHMMP,” she said.
It was earlier reported that the price of processed chicken had gone up to RM10 a kg since early Ramadan, after suppliers and chicken farm owners raised their prices.
In the meantime, she suggested consumers make full use of the Price Catcher app to check the prices of goods, as well as outlets offering the best price alternatives.
She said the app can save time and money, as consumers can make comparisons among different premises as it highlights the prices of goods on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan Consumers Association chairman Khairuldin Yunus said the relevant authorities should announce a price control scheme soon to prevent certain quarters from taking advantage of the situation.
He also said the price control scheme should not be limited to only festive seasons.
“To date, we still have not received any complaint on chicken price hikes from the public. Maybe they are reluctant to do so. Nevertheless, the government must monitor the increase to avoid burdening consumers in this challenging time,” he said. – Bernama, April 18, 2021
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