Work with us instead of just complaining, says minister on price hikes

Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives and Consumerism Datuk Seri Hassan Malek (second from right) and Aeon Co (M) Bhd chairman Datuk Abdullah Mohd Yusof (right) contribute school necessities to students during the company's back to school campaign in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, December 27, 2013.Amidst growing concerns over the spike in the cost of goods and services, a minister today called on the public to stop complaining and be constructive in its criticism of Putrajaya.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hassan Malek said in these trying times, the public should ask what they could do for the country and not lament about the lack of government aid.

When asked if the government was doing enough to reduce living costs, Hassan merely said that the ministry would engage with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and think tanks over the issue.

"I have also ordered my enforcement team to always go to the ground to engage the people.

"We will do it together with other agencies including the Tourism Ministry," he said at a function in Kuala Lumpur.

Hassan also advised business owners not to raise prices of goods indiscriminately.

"Don't raise the temperature on the issue and push up prices. Be considerate and help the ministry.

"Some government aid is also being abused by some to increase prices," he added.

When asked to respond to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remark that Putrajaya should cut costs instead of increasing prices, Hassan said that he "respects Tun's views and will be including it during the ministry's committee meeting".

Weighing in on the current debate over rising prices, Dr Mahathir in his blog posting yesterday had said that Putrajaya could minimise wastage and improve efficiency by applying a "cost down" concept to manage its growing expenses.

"We must accept that the government needs more money with the passage of time. But should the increase be as big as it says?” he said.

He also said that by taking a friendlier approach of increasing price hikes in stages, Malaysians would respond better to the change and be more receptive to the Barisan Nasional government.

“It will not hurt the government too much but it will gain a lot of goodwill from the people.

“They might even remember in the next election,” Dr Mahathir had said.