KUALA LUMPUR: Global supply pressures could push up the cost of living in the coming months, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
The senior adviser to the Prime Minister said this may occur due to rising logistics, fertiliser and other industrial input costs, which could begin to affect prices within one to two months.
“Based on studies and analyses conducted, this impact will have an effect on the prices of food and daily goods, although the increase may not be very significant at the initial stage,” he said after a visit to the Taman Muda Market yesterday, Bernama reported.
However, he noted that the impact remains manageable for now, aided by fuel subsidies that help contain transportation costs.
He reminded the people to be more prudent in their use of energy, including fuel.
On the market outlook, he said that so far the impact on raw material prices has not been noticeable, although there were early signs, such as an increase in the cost of packaging materials like plastic.
Tengku Zafrul also joined a community aid programme involving the distribution of vegetables to some 500 residents at MPAJ Zone 22.
The event, held twice a month, was organised by Teratai assemblyman Yew Jia Haur and is in its third year.
Yew said that the programme is aimed at cushioning the impact of rising food costs at the grassroots level in Teratai.
He said such initiatives, though small in nature, had a meaningful impact.
