PM orders ministers to go to ground, assess cost of living situation

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed all ministers to go to the ground to assess the prices and quantities of goods sold in markets.

This follows feedback the premier had received from a series of programmes he attended, said government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil after the weekly cabinet meeting.

“In the meeting today, the prime minister emphasised that ministers should spend more time going to the ground to see for themselves the situation there, including issues related to the prices or quantities of goods in markets,” Fahmi said at a press conference at the Communications Ministry this afternoon.

This is also considering that Muslims will be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri next week, he added.

The government previously introduced programmes such as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s Rahmah initiative, which offers discounts at sales carnivals.

The public also enjoys special prices when purchasing telecommunication plans, insurance, and food.

It also introduced the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) scheme as part of efforts to provide targeted subsidies.

Yesterday, the government reportedly decided that its institutions - including the military, police, schools, hostels, and hospitals - would use imported white rice, which is more expensive.

This was to make it easier for the public to obtain local rice.

Anwar said the supply of local rice is currently insufficient due to its limited production.

Last month, Bernama reported Anwar saying that the National Action Council on Cost of Living had agreed to allow the Statistics Department to develop new indicators to measure cost of living standards down to the district level.

The new indicators will support the government in drafting more accurate and effective programmes, he said. - Mkini