Muslims who start fasting today to mark Ramadan are left fuming as traders resort to profiterring by hiking the price of chicken.A Bernama check at Alor Setar central market and Jitra wet market today found that the price of chicken had been increased by 30 to 50 sen per kg.
Saniah Ahmad,42, who was met at Alor Setar central market was shocked by the big increase in the price of chicken.
"The price of chicken has increased from RM6.50 to RM7 per kg. I find this increase way too much," she said adding authorities should act fast to protect consumers.
Another consumer Che Pi Hamid, 46, urged authorities to monitor the price of essential goods to protect consumers against unscrupulous traders.
He said traders usually come up with a host of reasons to justify the hike in price of essential goods during festivals.
Meanwhile, chicken seller Abdul Shukur Darus, 33, said he had to hike the chicken price by 30 sen per kg as suppliers had done so.
"I don't have much choice and have to sell chicken at RM7 per kg although the price is high," said Shukur.
Chicken not a controlled item
Fellow chicken seller Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Ismail, 35, said is normal for the price of daily goods to cost more during Ramadan.
"We are still selling chicken at RM7 per kg but some traders are selling them at RM7.50 today," he said.
A check at Jitra market found that the chicken price had increased from RM5.70-RM6 to RM6.50 per kg today.
Kedah Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry director Salleh Ma'amor said chicken was not a controlled item and its price was based on supply and demand.
"We expect the price of chicken to increase by RM1 per kg during Ramadan.
"Chicken will be made a price controlled item two weeks before Aidilfitri," he added.
- Bernama
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.