SHAH ALAM - Malaysians are tightening their belts by buying only what is neccessary as cost of living hits them hard.
Twenty years ago, a family could buy cooking oil, eggs, rice, chicken and several basic food items for RM50 weekly.
But now with rising cost of living and inflation, a RM100 note could give you small quantities of 12 items, enough for a single person or a married couple without children, according to a survey done by a Sinar reporter in Klang Valley.
The items were one whole chicken weighing 1.8kgs at RM16.31, 2kg bottled cooking oil, 5kg of rice (RM13.30), a canned sardine (RM9.90), mustard leaves (RM2.99), red and white onions along with sugar, flour, crackers, fruits and 10 Grade C eggs.
For a family, a RM100 would only buy you five basic items - 5kg cooking oil at RM30, 10kg flour (RM30) and a tray of Grade C eggs (RM16).
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (Mydin) Managing Director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said in 2022 alone, two separate price hikes took place for all types of goods.
"The increase was around five to nine per cent and a majority of it were caused by items regulated by the government,” he said to Sinar.
Twenty years ago, a family could buy cooking oil, eggs, rice, chicken and several basic food items for RM50 weekly.
But now with rising cost of living and inflation, a RM100 note could give you small quantities of 12 items, enough for a single person or a married couple without children, according to a survey done by a Sinar reporter in Klang Valley.
The items were one whole chicken weighing 1.8kgs at RM16.31, 2kg bottled cooking oil, 5kg of rice (RM13.30), a canned sardine (RM9.90), mustard leaves (RM2.99), red and white onions along with sugar, flour, crackers, fruits and 10 Grade C eggs.
For a family, a RM100 would only buy you five basic items - 5kg cooking oil at RM30, 10kg flour (RM30) and a tray of Grade C eggs (RM16).
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (Mydin) Managing Director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said in 2022 alone, two separate price hikes took place for all types of goods.
"The increase was around five to nine per cent and a majority of it were caused by items regulated by the government,” he said to Sinar.