KUALA LUMPUR: Increased monitoring to determine the factors behind price increase of goods reflects the government's seriousness in tackling rising cost of living, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The deputy prime minister said there would be stricter enforcement to ensure that traders abide by the laws and regulations.
"This is not something factitious. When the Cabinet and the prime minister appointed me to assist the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, it showed our seriousness and that we are listening to the people.
"We could not keep quiet, but to respond immediately. It is not a gimmick.
"For as long as the situation does not improve, the special committee will look at all aspects," he said after visiting several locations in Selayang to survey the prices of essential goods.
On Wednesday, Muhyiddin announced the setting up of a special Cabinet Committee to tackle rising cost of living.
Muhyiddin said the committee would carry out overall monitoring related to price of goods such as supply and demand and people's income, besides the fiscal measures taken by the government, such as the subsidy rationalisation programme.
He said there has been no complaint on supply shortage of, in particularly, agriculture and livestock products.
"As a responsible government, we do not wash off our hands (on the price hike issue). The trend today is that some people use the fuel price increase, reduced sugar subsidy and minimum wage rule (as an excuse to raise prices of goods). To me, this is not right."
Muhyiddin said the government would closely watch traders who indiscriminately raise prices of goods to make excessive profits.
He stressed that each trader must therefore display price tags under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, to facilitate monitoring.
Muhyiddin said the government had mechanisms for price control, including expanding the import permit to increase supply.
"It's not a problem as we have an open market. This can help consumers get a bigger supply of goods. The basis is to flood our market with products, hence consumers will be able to buy them at cheaper or reasonable prices," he added.
Muhyiddin also urged the people to be patient for the special committee to come out with its findings before the end of this month. - Bernama
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