SELANGOR government will direct all local councils to ensure food court traders maintain reasonable prices, citing its various financial assistance to them.
State local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the move was aimed at protecting consumers from unjustified price increases and ensuring the food traders translated into fairer prices the government’s measures to ease their burden.
“Local authorities will be directed to monitor food court operators and traders renting premises under council management, with a focus on pricing practices and compliance with existing regulations,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the Selangor state assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam.
Ng said rental and business development initiatives were among assistance introduced by the state to help traders manage operating costs.
Inspections are expected to involve periodic checks by enforcement officers and local council representatives.
Ng said the state’s order was not intended to impose price controls but rather to encourage ethical business practices and prevent excessive profiteering, particularly in premises that benefit from public support and subsidised facilities.
“Food courts managed by local authorities are generally established to provide affordable eating-out options for residents while creating business opportunities for small and medium-sized traders,” he said, adding that this was also in line with the Selangor Resilience Strength-ening Package (PPDTS).
Ng said the directive was being instituted at a time when Malaysians continued to face cost-of-living pressures, with food expenses remaining a key concern for many households.
“While increases in the prices of raw materials, utilities and labour have affected businesses in Selangor, the state emphasise that traders who receive government assistance should exercise greater responsibility when determining menu prices.”
He said Selangor government would work closely with local councils to ensure inspections were carried out effectively and consistently statewide.
“Traders found to be charging unreasonable prices may be advised to review their pricing structures and provide justification where necessary,” he said.
Responding to Ng’s statement outside the assembly, Leong Tuck Chee (PH-Pandamaran) said consumers had called for closer monitoring of prices at publicly managed premises.
He agreed that government-backed facilities should offer affordable alternatives compared to commercial establishments.
At the same sitting, Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari told the House that the state was increasing welfare allocations to over RM160mil this year.
She said the financial injection under the 2026 Selangor budget would fund critical assistance programmes, including “Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor” (Bingkas), “Skim Mesra Selangor”, “MamaKerja” and “Bantuan Rahmah Insan Istimewa Selangor” (BRAIS).
The strategy under PPDTS Phases 1 and 2 balances immediate financial relief with long-term economic sustainability.
“At the beginning of this crisis (rising cost of living), the Mentri Besar wished for the state government to do its utmost to defend the lives of the people,” said Anfaal.
“A stimulus package in preparation for an economic crisis needs two main components: a ‘quick relief’ component to handle immediate financial pressures, and a long-term solution that solves problems sustainably.”
On the reach of the “Kita Selangor” voucher programme, Anfaal said the state had significantly expanded its criteria to capture vulnerable groups.
“While federal data lists 18,146 poor households in Selangor, the state is rolling out 50,000 vouchers to include single mothers and those recently retrenched.”
Under “Kita Selangor”, eligible families will receive RM100 per month for six months. A total of RM30mil has been allocated for the programme.
On the Digital Usahanita programme aimed at driving women into digital entrepreneurship, Anfaal said it remained open for participation.
The Resilient Women Tour, a cross-committee collaboration with Banting assemblyman V. Papparaidu and the Social Security Organisation, was also actively running return-to-work programmes and matching job seekers with employers.
Responding to concerns regarding Selangor’s transition towards an ageing society, Anfaal said the state was formulating frameworks to allow senior citizens to re-enter the workforce.
“The proposal to extend ‘MamaKerja’ to single fathers will also be examined.”
Under “MamaKerja” introduced in 2023, 5,000 working mothers in Selangor received RM1,000 to lighten childcare burden.
The three-day special meeting of the Selangor state assembly ended yesterday.
