Malaysia To Sell Basic Goods To Stem Skyrocketing Prices

The Malaysian government will be holding regular sales of basic goods as part of the efforts to keep prices of necessities affordable to consumers, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi told parliament on Tuesday, Vincent Tan reported for Channel News Asia (CNA).

Photo Insert: A vegetable market in Malaysia

Speaking during question time, Nanta said that the government will organize the "Keluarga Malaysia" (Malaysian Family) sales twice a month starting from this Saturday.

“The ministry will ensure that the prices of the goods sold will be cheaper than the market, by 15 to 20 percent," he said, adding that the sales would be held in all 222 parliamentary constituencies.

He was responding to a question by former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and opposition MP for Bagan about actions to contain the rising prices of goods. Nanta said that other agencies and departments would also cooperate with his ministry to ensure that basic necessities would reach households affected by the price increases.

The ministry had over 1,000 price monitoring officers roving daily to check the prices of 480 items in 1,500 premises nationwide. The ministry would also activate the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme earlier in December as Christmas was approaching.

During the debate, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim also took issue with Mr. Nanta on the government’s response to the rising price hikes of essential goods. Anwar called on Putrajaya to act fast as the rising prices for food supplies had become a “national crisis” and a burden for consumers.

At another event during his tour of the Selangor Agricultural Development Corp.’s (PKPS) stalls in Shah Alam, Anwar said in situations like the current price hikes, federal agencies should be making their rounds to assist the farmers.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic