Eleven items listed under Christmas maximum price scheme

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has listed 11 items under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme for Christmas.

Its minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the scheme would be implemented for five days from Dec 23 to 27.

The 11 items in the scheme include live old chicken (controlled in Sarawak only), chicken wings (controlled in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan), imported mutton, tomatoes, green capsicum and round cabbage (imported from China and Indonesia).

The list also includes were carrots, potatoes (imported from China), live pig (controlled in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan), pork belly and pork meat and fat (controlled in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan).

"The implementation period of the scheme is appropriate according to the current situation, which is to create a win-win situation for consumers and traders where consumers can enjoy reasonable prices while traders are not stressed by a lengthy period of implementation," he said at a press conference announcing in Parliament here on Tuesday (Dec 20).

At the same time, Salahuddin said the price of chicken and chicken eggs is being controlled under the implementation of the determination of the retail prices of chicken and chicken eggs mechanism.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin said more than 2,000 enforcement personnel would be deployed to monitor the prices of goods at public markets, farmers’ markets and retail outlets nationwide.

The strategy, he said, would ensure effective enforcement and immediate response to consumers’ complaints.

"The government hopes that all traders will adhere to the prices set under the scheme and display the pink price tags for the controlled price items.

"Stern action including penalties will be taken against traders who fail to comply with the regulations under this scheme,” he said.

The public can check the prices of the items involved under the Christmas price control scheme on the ministry's website at www.kpdnhep.gov.my.