Control prices by reducing middlemen’s role, says Anwar

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim checking out the prices of items on sale at the Agro Rahmah programme in Putrajaya. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: Reducing the dependence on middlemen is critical to control the prices of goods in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said prices of goods could be controlled if middlemen took only reasonable profits.

He was speaking to reporters during a visit to the Agro Rahmah sales programme at the Ramadan bazaar in Precinct 3 here.

Citing the Agro Rahmah programme as an example, he said vegetables and wet goods sold under the programme were cheaper because middlemen were not involved.

“We can see that the vegetables are cheaper without going through middlemen who take excessive profits… prices are far lower than at ordinary markets.

“It is the same with prices of other goods like fruits, fish and prawns. If we can reduce the role of middlemen or if the middlemen take only reasonable profits, prices can be controlled,” said the Tambun MP.

When asked about the government initiatives to check the problem of middlemen, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the establishment of pasar tani (farmers’ market) and the Agro Rahmah programme were among the measures taken to control the prices of goods.

“If we take the produce straight from farm to market, prices will be much lower. We can control prices of local produce but not imported goods,” he said.

Anwar also announced that the rent for Ramadan bazaar stalls in Precinct 3 had been reduced from RM1,000 to RM850.

“This will allow them (traders) to make more profits,” he said. - FMT