Groups: Prices of Hindu prayer items shoot up, hurting the poor more

 

The prices for Hindu prayer items have shot up by as much as 56 percent compared to last year, claimed the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP).

In a joint statement today, they warned that the increase, which ranges from 14 to 56 percent when compared to November 2022, is hurting the poor more than the rich, and should be addressed by authorities.

"Deepavali was celebrated recently on Nov 12 and Hindus are now preparing for another two major religious festivals, namely the Kantha Shasthi, which is being observed until Nov 18, and Thaipusam, which will be celebrated on Jan 21, 2024.

"However, many devotees, especially those in the B40 category, are worried and upset to see a sudden increase in prices of many basic prayer items.

"Many of the less fortunate Hindus are faced with a problem as they are finding it financially difficult to fulfil their religious obligations due to the unrealistic increase in the prices of prayer items," said PHA president P Murugiah and CAP senior education and environmental officer NV Subbarow in the statement.

Both associations jointly carried out a random survey on the prices of the prayer items in several retail shops on Penang Island and in the mainland.

"It needs to be noted that the surveyed items are only exemplary but not exhaustive of the prayer items used in the religious ceremonies," they said.

PHA and CAP identified a total of 18 basic Hindu prayer items and compared their prices with those listed in November 2022.

The prayer items were camphor, garland, rosewater, jasmine fresh flowers (imported and local), dahlias, lotus, roses, balsamic resin (sambrani), incense sticks, betel leaves, betel nuts, coconuts, clay prayer lamps, vanaspati (hydrogenated vegetable oil), prayer oil, shikakai (ayurvedic soap pod) and fresh milk (Dutch Lady brand).

"The analysis of the prices of the prayer items between November 2022 and November 2023 showed a marked increase in the price for all 18 items.

"The most significant increase is for Vanaspati oil, from RM89 to RM200 per 20kg tin, which is a staggering 56 percent increase.

"Betel nuts saw a 55 percent increase from RM10 to RM22 per kilo while dahlias and betel leaves each saw a 50 percent increase in price," said the groups.

Benchmark price

They claimed that when asked about the rationale for the price increase, the retailers gave the excuse that it was normal for the importers, manufacturers and wholesalers to increase their prices of these items during Hindu festivals.

"The retailers also attributed the price increase to the prices of raw materials and transportation, as well as the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates and the increase in workers’ salaries," they said.

The PHA and CAP said they were concerned about spiralling prices of the prayer items and their effect on the devotees and strongly urged the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry, as well as the Prime Minister's Department, to look into the complaints raised by the devotees.

"Act against the importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers for unwarranted increases in the prices," they said.

PHA and CAP also suggested the creation of a benchmark price for the prayer items to prevent unreasonable price increases during festive seasons in the future. - Mkini