Govt has ways to detect people raising prices, says Fuziah

 

Deputy domestic trade and cost of living minister Fuziah Salleh warned traders that her ministry knows the costs of all materials along the entire supply chain.

PETALING JAYA: 

The domestic trade and cost of living ministry can detect attempts by irresponsible parties to raise prices and will not hesitate to take action against anyone doing so, says its deputy minister, Fuziah Salleh

“Even though the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) announced the increased tax on drinks high in sugar, such as carbonated beverages, people have started talking about future (higher) food prices even before anything has happened.

“I said the price of sugar would not increase. This means if you make cakes with the sugar we have now, (the price of cakes) won’t increase.

“We need to give a firm warning (to potential wrongdoers), because the ministry knows the cost of all materials along the entire supply chain,” Bernama reported her as saying.

Presenting the 2025 budget on Friday, Anwar said the government planned to increase the excise duty rate on sugary drinks in phases, starting with 40 sen per litre from Jan 1.

Fuziah said 990 ministry officers monitor the prices of goods every day.

“Every day, they go to wet markets, mini markets and so on.

“And they check the prices of 480 goods daily. Each day, we receive reports on how much (the prices of goods) have gone up or down.

“So we know who is taking advantage of prices and who is not.

“If something is wrong, we will immediately conduct an investigation and if found guilty, they will be issued notices,” she said. - FMT