Vegetable supply in Putrajaya stable despite EMCO in Cameron Highlands

 

The enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, through its monitoring, finds that there is a stable supply of vegetables at markets and supermarkets around Putrajaya despite the enforcement of enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Cameron Highlands.

Its director Azman Adam said the inspection conducted today was to monitor the prices of vegetables produced by Cameron Highlands’ farmers, such as tomatoes, Japanese cucumbers, chillies, cabbages, green beans, capsicums and salads, following reports of a hike in vegetable prices in the market.

According to him, the ministry’s National Product Price Division received reports of price hikes of several vegetables at the national level, involving tomatoes (8.33 percent), mustard greens (2.91 percent), cucumbers (2.08 percent), local cabbages (2.73 percent), Chinese broccoli (2.37 percent), water spinach (2.29 percent), broccoli (2.27 percent) and capsicum (2.07 percent).

He said inspections at several markets here found that the prices of tomatoes and Japanese cucumbers had been increased by 15 to 30 percent while the prices of other vegetables remained stable. A similar inspection at supermarkets found that the prices of all the vegetables were not raised.

“In general, vegetable supplies are seen as stable in public markets and supermarkets around Putrajaya. However, the ministry enforcement division does not reject the possibility of a disruption in vegetable supplies due to the enhanced MCO in Cameron Highlands,” he said in a statement today.

Azman also warned that action would be taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (AKHAP 2011) against any party who intentionally take excessive profits.

The public can channel information to the ministry by lodging a report against unscrupulous traders via the ministry’s portal, hotline 1-800-886-800, WhatsApp to 019-2794317 or contact the Enforcement Command Centre at 03-88826088.

- Bernama