The surging prices of food items and basic essentials is one of the main
problems plaguing most Malaysians today. This problem affects everyone, but the
degree of hardship for people with lower income would certainly give them more
pressure on their cost of living.
Last year alone, Malaysia has witnessed several incidents of rising prices
of goods, especially involving the prices of chicken, fish and meat. The
increase in price is due to various factors. Among them are the growing demand
for goods, rising global oil prices, disruptions to the supply chain and
more.
On top of that, the hike in prices is affected throughout the
supply chain – from the producer to wholesaler and to the retailer. We can see
that eateries have increased their prices at hawker stalls and restaurants and
this certainly affects the consumer’s expenditure.
Therefore, to avoid this problem escalating further, necessary
measures and initiatives to monitor food prices and the supply of basic
necessities must be stepped up immediately.
Supply chain disruptions
According to Zulkarnain Shahbari, a butcher at Jalan Othman Central Market,
the problem of rising prices of goods is due to the costs incurred at various
levels of the supply chain before reaching the traders. The producer and
wholesalers have set their costs. So by the time, it reaches the traders, the
price eventually increases.
The purchasing power of a handful of people is now at a critical level and
without intervention from the government, they will risk living in
starvation.
Vegetable prices are declining
“Currently, the supply of vegetables at the Jalan Othman Central Market is
seen to be able to meet consumer demand apart from the declining price. Most
traders also do not face problems in obtaining supplies from wholesalers to
meet consumer demand, “said Fikri Misnon, a vegetable seller.
“The prices of vegetables will rise and decline and it is normal
especially when the festive season arrives. However, controlled vegetables such
as tomatoes, long eggplants, chillies are still expensive because they are
supplied from Selayang and also because the floods have caused many crops to be
infertile,’’ he said.
“Most Malaysians always express dissatisfaction to traders without
understanding the business ecosystem. The problem is, we always look at one
side only without finding out the cause of the price increase. There are
suppliers and wholesalers who also play a role in setting the price,’’ said
Datuk Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, President of the Association of Small and Medium
Entrepreneurs Malaysia (IKHLAS).
The increase in the price of goods needs to be closely monitored by KPDNHEP
so it would not continue to affect the lives of low-income households and
families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As one of the ministries under the government, KPDNHEP needs to put the
interests of consumers above the profits of the individuals in the supply chain
who take advantage of the rakyat.
This content is provided by 99 Media.
