BUKIT MERTAJAM – The Penang office of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has mobilized 121 enforcement officers to monitor the increase in food prices at Ramadan bazaars.
State director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghafar said, so far, his party has not received any complaints about the increase in food prices at Ramadan bazaars, but inspections will continue to be done from time to time.
“Apart from the increase in food prices, the focus of operations is also on the display of price tags, weights and measures, as well as counterfeit goods and halal products.
“We will continue to monitor to ensure that there is no excessive increase in the price of goods by Ramadan bazaar traders,” he said after inspecting the Bandar Perda Ramadan bazaar here today.
Ridzuan said, the public is encouraged to make a complaint to the trade ministry if they find the price of food sold at Ramadan bazaars is unreasonable.
He said the ministry will conduct an investigation based on reports from consumers and take action by giving notices if it is true that the prices offered by traders is excessive.
“Traders, on the other hand, need to work together to make known the materials used for them to put such a price.
“While there are no guidelines to control the price of ready-to-eat food at Ramadan bazaars or restaurants, there should be a reasonable margin.”
On Monday, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, for now there are no guidelines to control the price of cooked food but wants consumers not to be “pressured” in terms of price.
He was reported to have said that it is difficult to control the price of ready-cooked food compared to the price of raw materials controlled by the government. – The Vibes, April 6, 2022
