STOP INDISCRIMINATE INCREASES OF THE PRICE OF VEGETABLES
The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) to take immediate steps to bring down the price of vegetables which has increased up to 160% in the past one month.
Here are the comparative prices for some common vegetables:
|
No |
Items |
Old Price (RM) |
New Price (RM) |
Percentage |
|
1. |
Lady’s fingers (Bendi) |
6.00 |
16.00 |
166% |
|
2. |
Long Beans (kacang panjang) |
6.00 |
12.00 |
100% |
|
3. |
Tomato |
4.50 |
10.00 |
120% |
|
4. |
Beans |
6.00 |
12.00 |
100% |
|
5. |
Eggplant (Terung) |
7.00 |
12.00 |
71% |
Several retailers have complained that distributors and wholesalers have warned them that prices of other vegetables may go up in the coming weeks.
CAP calls on the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to investigate the above price increases as average income earners will be badly affected by escalating prices of goods. It should also crack down on traders who hike their prices excessively and violate Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2010.
CAP has also been repeatedly calling on FAMA to take control of the marketing and distribution of vegetables in the country to eliminate middlemen profiteering but our call has fallen on deaf ears.
Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)
Press Statement, 1 February 2023