SHAH ALAM - The government is urged to expedite the floating of prices for Grade A, B, and C eggs once the supply stabilises.
Bumiputera Retailers Association president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said that subsidies for eggs should be terminated and prices should not be controlled as the government did previously for chicken.
He explained that there would be no significant difference when people buy eggs at unsubsidised prices since they were already accustomed to purchasing Omega eggs.
"Due to the egg supply issue, people have to buy more expensive Omega or village eggs.
"Even though there were price controls and subsidies provided by the government, the egg supply has been insufficient in the market for over a year now.
"We cannot think about how the government floating the prices will affect the struggling B40 community. It is indeed tough, but they have been facing difficulties for a long time,” he told Sinar Harian.
On Wednesday, the Agriculture and Food Security minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu reportedly said that savings of RM100 million from the termination of egg subsidies would be utilised to develop other more pressing agro-food sectors.
He said that the proposal to end egg subsidies had been submitted to the Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Previously, Ameer, who is also the Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad managing director, had suggested last year that the government take immediate action to float egg prices to prevent retail prices and supplies from being manipulated by cartels.
He said that the government could control prices during festive seasons when egg demand was high.
"If we let it go, it will balance supply and demand, and if there is an emergency, only then should the government intervene,” he said.