PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) task force set up to investigate chicken cartel allegations is in the final stage of reporting its findings, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).
"I think the report will be tabled at some point this month. Whoever is involved can rest assured that all are being investigated,” said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
"MyCC has a plan to move forward with what needs to be done," he told a press conference after launching the 3rd MyCC Malaysian Competitive Law Conference 2022 themed “Digital Economy, Merger and Bid Rigging” on Thursday (June 23).
Nanta represented Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the event.
Asked about claims of a "war" between the government and chicken industry players, he denied them and said it was just a perception issue.
Nanta said the government will continue to ensure prices are affordable even after the Covid-19 pandemic, as it did during the outbreak.
"A surge in demand caused prices to increase but the government did not allow it (to get out of control) even though some industry players might have wanted to recoup their losses during the pandemic,” he said.
"This caused the price of chicken to spike. But we understand both the customers and the industry players, which is why we imposed the chicken price cap for a long period,” he added.
Nanta also said the government did not want to hurt the industry and added that this was the reason it will end the ceiling price.
Striking a balance among all the parties involved was not easy, he added.
Nanta, who read out Ismail Sabri's speech, said that bid rigging cartels posed a great threat to public procurement as it resulted in leakages.
He said MyCC is still investigating a number of companies.
"I will not give any specific figure. I think MyCC is doing this job, but there are many companies – in the hundreds. I will leave the specific figure to be announced by MyCC itself,” he said.
On the two-day conference, he said over 300 local and international participants from more than 10 jurisdictions including government officers, legal practitioners, economists, and members from professional bodies, financial institutions, academicians and students were taking part.
