By Sofia Nasir
SUBANG JAYA, Nov 9 — Almost all chicken traders in Selangor have not arbitrarily increased their prices following the removal of subsidy for the protein source effective this month.
Selangor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Mohd Zuhairi Mat Radey said his team has not received any official complaints from the public pertaining to the matter.
“Based on our checks in the first nine days of implementation, we found that compliance has been at 99 per cent, with the chickens being sold cheaper than the previous capped price of RM9.40.
“Only one or two premises sold at a higher price. As for complaints, I must say I am surprised as there has been none at the moment,” he said.
Zuhairi said this to reporters after conducting a survey on eight food items under the Deepavali price control scheme at Mydin supermarket, here, today. Also present were state executive councillor for consumer affairs Datuk Rizam Ismail and Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin.
Ameer said he welcomed the decision to float the prices of chicken, and hoped more subsidised products will be given similar action.
“If possible, I want all products to have floating prices because if we control them, sometimes there will be issues of supply shortages. If we float them, prices may increase a little, but at least there will be supply, which is more important.”
On October 30, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that the price control for chicken will be lifted beginning November 1, in line with the government’s decision to restructure subsidies to be more targeted.
Meanwhile, Rizam has expressed satisfaction at the retail prices of the eight food items under the Deepavali price control scheme, while commending businesses that go above and beyond to sell these products even cheaper.
He said a check today found that some of the controlled items are being sold lower than the capped price fixed by KPDN.
“Today marks the first day of the price control scheme. We conducted a survey at the Mydin supermarket, for example, to personally observe the prices and items on offer. The prices being fixed are quite good, some even lower than suggested.”
Previously on Monday, acting KPDN minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced that eight food items would be listed under the festive season maximum price scheme from November 9 to 15, in conjunction with Deepavali.
They are big onions, Indian shallots, red chillies, imported lamb with bones, Australian dhal, coconut (wholesale control price), grated coconut (retail control price), and tomatoes.
The scheme is enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
