Putrajaya to launch Aidilfitri price control scheme on Tuesday

The Aidilfitri festive season price control will deter unscrupulous traders from raising the prices of goods during the festive season. — Reuters pic

SEBUYAU, Aug 14 — Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is to identify about 20 goods under the Aidilfitri festive season price control scheme he will launch on Tuesday, Bernama Online reported today.

It quoted deputy minister Datuk Rohani Karim as saying the scheme would deter unscrupulous traders from raising the prices of these goods which had a higher demand during the festive period.

She did not name the goods but it is believed that they include chicken, local and imported beef, eggs and red chilli.

The price control scheme would be in force for a week before Aidilfitri, which is expected to fall on August 30, and a week after the festival, she told Bernama.

The ministry launches the festive season price control scheme during the period before and after all the major festivals.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced last month his seventh National Key Results Area (NKRA) to curb the rising cost of living.

Food and fuel prices have risen steadily since Najib took office in 2009 and the complaints from Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs reflect concerns that the economy is set to be a major issue in elections.

Inflation has continued to rise after hitting a two-year high of three per cent in March with the consumer price index sitting at 3.5 per cent in June.