Max price of wholesale chicken coming soon - minister

 

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs will be fixing the maximum price of chicken at the wholesale level in a few days before setting the price at the retail level.

Its minister, Alexander Nanda Linggi (above) said they have engaged with chicken farmers over the matter and that existing laws will be used to set the prices at the two levels.

“With the farmgate price assured, so in a few days’ time, we will use the act, we will be firm in setting the maximum price at the wholesale level and then later at the retail level to help traders as well,” he said.

He was replying to a motion brought by Salahuddin Ayub (Pakatan Harapan-Pulai) in a parliamentary Special Chambers session in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yesterday, the Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) said they would maintain the price of chickens and eggs in December.

Several media organisations earlier reported spikes in chicken and egg prices due to the rising cost of production faced by breeders.

Alexander said the ministry is concerned about the fate of traders affected by the price hike at the wholesale level causing them to raise prices of chicken sold to consumers.

“Do not accuse us of victimising traders and hawkers...

“We know they were affected due to the Movement Control Order (MCO). We assure you we will consider the views of all parties, consumers, and traders," he said.

Earlier, in his motion, Salahuddin said he received a letter of appeal to reduce the prices of goods from a petty trader, Syamsuri Mohd Zain, at the compound of Parliament to be handed over to Alexander's ministry.

“The matter needs to be expedited as the issue of price hike in essential goods was reported by official news dailies and I also heard many complaints from the people

“It also involves the interest of the people as sharp increases in the price of goods without control is affecting the cost of living, giving pressure to consumers and also petty traders,” Salahuddin said.

The motion was also debated by Mahfuz Omar (Harapan-Pokok Sena) and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Harapan-Kulim Bandar Baharu).

- Bernama