Discontinued: Ceiling price for chicken, eggs; cooking oil subsidy

 

The ceiling price for chicken and chicken eggs, as well as subsidies for palm cooking oil, will not be continued from July 1, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi today.

This will affect palm cooking oil bottles in 2, 3, and 5kg sizes.

At a press conference in Putrajaya, he said this is to ensure the food supply will be more stable and that food prices will stabilise in the long run.

"Chicken prices will be floated and will depend on market forces. The needy group will be assisted later with targeted financial aid," he said, adding that details on the financial aid will be announced by the Ministry of Finance.

Currently, the government sets the maximum retail price of chicken and eggs for Peninsular Malaysia at RM8.90 per kg for standard chicken and RM9.90 per kg for super whole chicken (slaughtered and cleaned without legs, head, liver, and gizzard).

Earlier, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said effective July 1, Putrajaya will stop giving subsidies to poultry farmers. Following this, the farmers reportedly hoped that the government would float the price of chicken.

Cooking oil subsidy

Nanta said the subsidy for cooking oil in 1kg polybag packages which are offered to consumers at RM2.50 per packet will continue.

He added that palm cooking oil subsidies for bottled packaging have reached RM20 million a month.

“This was a temporary programme and should have been implemented for three months but it went on until today.

"The government feels it is time to abolish it and focus more on helping the needy," he said.

The government previously set a maximum retail price for palm cooking oil in bottles effective Aug 1 last year, with the assurance that consumers would be able to buy cooking oil at below RM30 for a 5kg bottle.

According to the ministry, the maximum retail price for palm cooking oil was set at: 1kg bottle (RM6.70), 2kg (RM12.70), 3kg (RM18.70), and 5kg (RM29.70).

Chicken prices

Nanta, who chaired an engagement session with poultry industry stakeholders today, said they assured prices for chicken will not increase drastically.

"The industry has given their commitment to assist the government in ensuring that consumers will be able to get supplies of necessities, especially chicken, at reasonable and stable prices," he said.

However, he stressed that the ministry will take action on those who take the opportunity to increase the price of goods excessively.

“The ministry will not hesitate to act against industry players if they violate the existing anti-profiteering regulations,” he said.

When asked about the flour subsidy, he said it will continue for now.

- Bernama