Traders at Pasar Malam planning to increase food prices (Poll Inside)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians buying foods at pasar malam may have to fork out more for some items starting next month as traders plan to increase prices following the diesel hike.

Pasar Malam Bumiputera Shah Alam and Klang chairman Kamarul Nizam said that some of their night market traders intend to do so by July 1.

However, the quantum is yet to be determined as they are still waiting to see how the new diesel prices will impact them.

Kamarul, a food and drink trader, said he plans to increase his stall prices by 10%.

Petty traders and Jalan Cemur Kuala Lumpur night market chairman Moganae Sundram said the government’s RM200 Budi Madani cash assistance is insufficient to cover the increased fuel costs.

As a fishmonger, he drives a pickup truck to transport his fish from Perak to Kuala Lumpur and now spends an additional RM600 on diesel.

Other traders, including those selling vegetables and using their own transport to ferry goods from wholesalers, are also affected, he claimed.

However, he said he would not increase prices yet, as his competitors have no plans to do so.

“If I increase prices now, I would lose out to those selling cheaper,” Moganae said.

But he believed it is only a matter of time before they increase the prices of their goods.

Malaysian Bakery, Biscuit, Confectionery, Mee and Kuay Teow Merchants Association president Chaang Tuck Cheong said prices of related goods have remained unchanged because several sectors, particularly food and logistics, continue to enjoy targeted diesel subsidies.

However, he said that it has not been smooth sailing.

There have been instances where lorry drivers are unable to use their fleet cards to refuel due to system glitches, he said.

“Drivers have to pay cash upfront, and they may not be able to claim it back,” he said.

Although the fleet card provides more than enough diesel to cover monthly usage, Chaang said it remains uncertain for now as the claims have yet to be processed.

“We can only wait and see,” he added.