MIRI – The uncontrolled increase in prices of foodstuff and essential items in Sarawak has turned into a pressing election topic, as it is affecting large populations in both urban and rural constituencies.
The Vibes received feedback that many affected folk are complaining to candidates in the upcoming state polls about the price hikes, demanding answers from those in the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Blatant price hikes are being felt across big cities, as well as remote towns and village bazaars.
Social activist Harry Wing – who is a resident of the Belaga district in central Sarawak – said prices of vegetables, meat, fish, canned goods, sugar, and other essentials have shot up.
This is in addition to the prices of farm essentials like animal feed, fertilisers, and pesticides for crops, he noted.
“The past few weeks have seen prices getting higher and higher, with vegetables, fish, and meat increasing by several ringgit per kilogramme,” he said. “Farm items like fertilisers and pesticides have increased by two to three times.
“The government must intervene without delay. We have asked our politicians to help, but they can only say that they have brought up the issue to the federal government.
“That is always what we get as answers,” he said.
Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui Anyit said it is true that the price hike issue is making many people frustrated.
“Yes, we keep hearing these complaints from the people we meet,” he said. “It is not just urbanites who are suffering from the price increase, but the rural population as well.
“It is obvious that GPS leaders are unable to do anything about this.”
GPS leaders acknowledge problem
GPS politicians also acknowledged that they have received feedback from affected voters on this matter.
When asked, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy information chief Datuk Peter Minos said: “We are all feeling the pain of having to spend more and more for food and other daily necessities.
“We understand the feelings of the people. They are worried, as the prices keep going up and up.
“We in GPS must resolve this, and the federal side must act decisively to stop further hikes.”
PBB is the backbone party of the GPS coalition, with its other components comprising Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Progressive Democratic Party, and Parti Rakyat Sarawak.
SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting acknowledged the people’s feelings.
“It’s true that the price situation is causing hardship to many. We in GPS are trying our best to mitigate this,” he told The Vibes.
Meanwhile, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the federal and state governments must have ready policies in place to intervene when prices of essentials go up too high.
“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?
“We must take proactive measures to ensure the needs of the people of Sarawak are looked into,” he said.
Dr Yii – who is also DAP’s candidate for Batu Kawah – has taken GPS to task in his daily campaign rounds.
He said the price hikes are burning the pockets of average families, but GPS has done nothing about it.
“The prices of vegetables, chicken, fish, and other raw materials have seen exorbitant increases.
“The only thing that’s not rising is the salary of the common people. The failure and ‘tidak apa’ attitude of the authorities in controlling the price hikes are extremely disappointing.
“All this in Sarawak has come during a pandemic that many are still struggling to cope with.
“Essentially, Sarawakians are now hit with triple crises of Covid-19, economic deterioration, and rising living costs,” he said. – The Vibes, December 16, 2021
