New year to start with lower prices for poultry, eggs, veggies: ministry

BUKIT MERTAJAM – Starting tomorrow, the prices of basic foodstuffs such as fresh chicken, eggs, and certain vegetables will drop by between 2% and 20%, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry assured today.

Its enforcement director Azman Adam said the price reduction will be according to the locality and current situation to ensure consumers enjoy purchases at affordable prices.

“For Peninsular Malaysia, tomorrow we will see the price decrease for poultry from RM9.30 to RM9.10 per kg. Similarly, some types of vegetables – such as long beans and mustard – as well as eggs will experience a drop in price.

“We urge consumers to look at our official website to see the prices as a reference before shopping,” he told reporters today.

Earlier, he held an inspection walkabout to check on prices of relevant products before the new school term starts next month. Azman and his team examined whether the prices at a hypermarket here are in line with the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Scheme (SHMKM).

On Tuesday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi informed that SHMKM – which was scheduled to end today – will be extended for another 35 days, effective January 1 to February 4 next year.

In another development, Azman said his party will conduct a special operation starting tomorrow to ensure an appropriate supply of goods in the states affected by the flood disaster.

He said so far, his department has not received any complaints about undue price increases in those states – describing everything as stable.

“It’s just that we received complaints about some supplies of goods cut off due to logistics problems. However, we will launch a special operation tomorrow in Pahang to ensure this problem can be resolved,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme, Azman said since it came into force on December 23, a total of 7,178 premises have been inspected nationwide.

“However, no cases were reported and the level of compliance is at 100%. This is a good development, and we hope it can be continued from time to time.” – The Vibes, December 31, 2021