‘Inflation jihad’ task force calls for more cheap sales

 

Minister Annuar Musa talking to students about the increase in prices at a cafeteria during his visit to the International Islamic University Malaysia campus in Gombak today. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The special task force on “jihad against inflation” will have discussions next week to encourage all retailers and shopping malls to hold cheap sales campaigns, communications and multimedia minister Annuar Musa said.

As chairman of the task force, he said if all parties launched mass sales campaigns, it would help consumers manage their expenditure better.

He said these sales campaigns could be held if traders were not too greedy or concerned about their self-interest.

“So these sales don’t have to wait till the end of the year,” he said after checking on prices of food at the International Islamic University Malaysia campus in Gombak today.

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He said the task force was planning for the sales to begin in August or September.

It would negotiate with many more parties to conduct sales to help consumers offset the rising prices of products.

“This way, the government, consumers, and sellers can each do their part. This is the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia to tackle inflation. If we can do this, overall we can control inflation,” he said.

On allegations that food prices at eateries in universities have risen, Annuar said this was happening but the prices were not too high. He advised traders to make an effort not to raise prices.

He congratulated the higher education ministry for taking the initiative to launch a food bank but noticed that many of the items were dry goods.

He said if these goods were given to cafeteria operators, they could cook them and provide food at low and cheap prices. This might be a way to reduce students’ expenditure, instead of just distributing dry goods, he added.

“Secondly, we will negotiate with higher education minister Noraini Ahmad if we can provide more incentives to cafeteria operators,” he said.

University students have complained about rising prices of food and sundry items, at cafeterias and cooperative shops, with some of them selling above market prices. - FMT