Look at overall data on increase in prices of goods - Pas
This was necessary to get a true picture as the latest data on essential items such as onions, sardines, meat, margarine and others on average showed an increase of between 25 to three per cent compared to January 2022.
SHAH ALAM - The Pas consumer affairs committee has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry to look at the overall data regarding the increase in prices of goods in the country.
Its chairman Ir Khairil Nizam Khirudin said this was necessary to get a true picture as the latest data on essential items such as onions, sardines, meat, margarine and others on average showed an increase of between 25 to three per cent compared to January 2022.
"For example, the price of imported onions from India rose to RM8.26 in April 2024 compared to RM4.20 in January 2022.
"For imported garlic, the price rose to RM12.38 compared to RM8.81 in January 2022, while the 425g canned sardines rose to RM10.21 compared to RM8.32.
"Looking at the pattern of price increases for essential items, generally, this increase in prices leads to increased household costs and also puts pressure on small traders," he said in a Facebook post on Monday.
He said this in response to Anwar's statement saying that the current price of essential items was still low and stable compared to when it was under the previous government.
The statement was made during the monthly assembly with staff of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM), yesterday.
Khairil, who is also the Jerantut Member of Parliament said when the increase in prices of goods exceeded the "normal" level or increased "excessively", the situation became difficult for the people, especially low-income groups.
Furthermore, although Anwar said the current price of essential items such as chicken, eggs and cooking oil was still low and stable compared to when it was under the previous government, the overall data still needed to be looked at to measure the success of any government intervention in controlling prices.
"It's not just about looking at a few parametres because it's useless if only a few items show a decrease in prices.
"However, the overall long-term trend regarding the prices of goods and inflation continues to rise and continues to burden the people," he added.
