IT was only a couple of months ago that S. Catherine noticed that the price of her groceries was increasing.
She usually buys chicken, vegetables, yoghurt, milk, and rice, among others. Among the most obvious increases is the price of milk – it has risen from RM6 to RM8 per carton to date.
“That is a lot, actually. In total, for my monthly grocery run, the amount I pay has increased by between RM100 and RM150.
“Nowadays, I have to allocate RM600 for groceries alone. I have a couple of dogs to feed too, in case anyone is wondering why I have to budget so much,” she tells the Sunday Star.
Several experts have said that the ripple effects from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, following the US-Israeli-Iranian conflict, are also disrupting supply chains for production materials and chicken feed, which will push up the prices of goods as costs are passed on to consumers.
Some rural residents interviewed nationwide are increasingly feeling the effects of inflation, following the rise in transportation costs due to the global energy crisis, which has caused fuel prices to soar.
Most interviewees admit that the rising cost of living has made life in rural areas almost comparable with urban areas, as the prices of many goods have increased significantly.
For now, what is helping Catherine stay afloat is her habit of saving.
“I like to save money. I have a separate account where I put money aside monthly for rainy days and emergencies. That account is not for any daily transactions, not even for online shopping.
“It is something I have been taught since I was a kid. Even my friends are surprised that I still manage to have savings during these times.”
Handyman KC Tang, who lives in Kampung Melayu Subang in Shah Alam, says he now rides his motorcycle more often to save on diesel.
“I have a small truck that I use to carry my gear and my customers’ furniture or equipment for repair. But nowadays I have to travel light to save on fuel, and most of the time I do my work on site.
“My wife also cooks for me. I always ask for something simple like noodles and vegetables so that we do not have to spend more on meat.”
Fortunately, Tang, 55, says his two children are already working and living on their own.
“Times are tough but at the very least, they can earn their own livelihood now.”
In Kuantan, 67-year-old trader Salimah Omar says people are spending more prudently because they are worried about uncertainty in the country’s energy supply.
“As a small trader, I really feel the impact of this crisis because the number of customers is decreasing. This situation puts quite a lot of pressure on those of us who depend on income from sales.”
She tells Sinar Harian the increase in food prices – whether at eateries or on store shelves – is very much palpable.
“Food prices in rural areas have also been rising recently, but that is the situation we are forced to go through,” says Salimah, who lives in Kampung Padang.
Meanwhile, eatery owner Zulkefle Ahmad, 51, from Machang, Kelantan, says that with goods prices soaring, his business is facing an increasing dilemma.
This is because he has to balance rising costs with not wanting to burden customers.
“If this crisis continues, I do not know how long I can keep maintaining food prices. Right now, I choose to maintain the old prices because I am worried about losing customers.
“Imagine, almost all goods prices are rising sharply, including mineral water. That is not even counting other essential items like vegetables.
“We hope this crisis ends soon,” says Zulkefle, who runs his eatery in Pulai Chondong.
