KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has urged the government to take accountability over the high cost of food at eateries after Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli advised the public to boycott premises that fail to lower prices.
Speaking to the press, Ismail Sabri said the government should not wash its hands of the issue and simply pass the buck to restaurant operators, but should instead come up with solutions.
The Bera MP reasoned that boycotting eateries would only place an unfair burden on the operators.
“This kind of statement will not help the rakyat but only burden businesses. If prices of raw materials increase, obviously restaurants will also increase their prices. If we boycott them, we will inconvenience them.
“By right, if traders buy raw materials at a high cost, the government must ensure that the prices of these products can be reduced. This way, the businesses can sell food at a cheaper price to the public. That’s the best solution.
“The government should be thinking about this, not issue statements to wash their hands (of the issue) and punish restaurant operators.”
Ismail Sabri said this after attending MCA’s Chinese New Year open house at the party’s headquarters, here, today.
He was also asked about his expectations for the country in line with the Lunar New Year.
“In this Year of the Rabbit, I hope Malaysia will be more active in terms of economic growth and that the cost of living can be reduced, because the rakyat have been complaining about it.
“In fact, today I read a media report saying if prices of food increase, then boycott the eatery,” he said, in reference to Rafizi.
Speaking at PKR’s election convention in Terengganu yesterday, Rafizi had reprimanded some restaurants and eateries who still refuse to lower prices despite the price of raw materials declining.
He said the cooperation of operators is needed to help the public increase their spending power and reduce their financial burden.
“Sometimes, people get angry when the prices of raw materials fall, electricity bills do not rise – yet prices of goods from retailers, restaurants, and stalls do not come down.
“So far, everything else shows a decrease except for buying ready-made food from restaurants and stalls, and takeaways are still increasing even though the price of raw materials has decreased,” Rafizi was quoted as saying.
The minister then suggested consumers should act more proactively against changes in the price of goods by avoiding restaurants and eateries that are still selling at high prices. – The Vibes, January 22, 2023
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