KUALA LUMPUR – The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has dismissed a survey by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) that revealed a 200% price hike for vegetables.
Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu-Bersatu) told the Dewan Rakyat today that when he contacted CAP for further details as to which locality the survey was conducted in, it was unable to provide an answer.
“They (CAP) told me that they cannot say for sure where exactly such an increase in price is happening, and that the details are hearsay,” he said, noting that enforcement officers from the ministry had been ordered to investigate further once news of the report was received.
“Our investigations revealed that while there definitely is an increase in the prices of vegetables, it is not as extreme as what was claimed by CAP,” he said, adding that the ministry has yet to receive any notice on a potential increase in the prices of bread products.
“Nevertheless, the ministry will be looking into these matters. We are considering it very seriously as we all have family members who will be affected if prices increase drastically,” he said, and called on the public to inform the ministry if they come across extremely high prices of daily goods.
Rosol was responding to Wong Hon Wai (Bukit Bendera-PH) who had brought up the substantial hike in vegetable pricing, along with the alleged increase in the cost of bread.
Wong also took a jab at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, asking: “Is this the way the prime minister wants to celebrate reaching 100 days of his administration? With the cost of basic food items rising, signalling the failure of the ministry to control the prices of items?” – The Vibes, November 25, 2021
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