Ministry studies proposal to do away with AP system, bring down prices

Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says he needs time to look into the matter and obtain feedback from industry players.

Saifuddin says his ministry is currently preparing the list of goods and businesses under the AP system considered to have elements of monopoly. (Youtube screengrab)

KULIM: The domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry is reviewing the proposal to do away with the approved permit (AP) system for food items to allow prices to be reduced.

Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he needed time to look into the matter as well as obtain feedback from industry players.

“I need time to study the proposal whether the move to do away with the AP system can help reduce the price of goods.

“If the move can reduce the prices, then we will move in that direction,” said Saifuddin, who is also Kulim Bandar Baru MP, when met at the handing-over of a memorandum to protest against the logging activities at Kampung Sungai Tengas here today.

Previously, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) had suggested that the AP system to be abolished to help reduce the price of goods as there were elements of monopoly involving some of the AP holders.

Saifuddin also said that the ministry was currently in the midst of preparing the list of goods and businesses under the AP system considered to have elements of monopoly.

He said it was part of the plan to ensure that there was no price increase due to the AP monopoly, particularly those involving basic necessities.

“Under the ministry, there are several types of APs, including AP for rice, sugar, vegetables and so on.

“If there are elements of monopoly that put consumers at a disadvantage, we will not hesitate to hire new bidders,” he said. -FMT