KUCHING: Nothing comes cheap.
And this saying makes a lot more sense these days with the prices of goods, groceries, attires, oil and gas, construction resources, schooling items, etcetera increasing by leaps and bounds in just a matter of weeks.
By and large people blame business owners for taking advantage of the recent increase in the minimum wage from RM1,200 to RM1,500.
On the other hand, economists conclude that it’s because of the Ukraine-Russia war which is currently causing an economic crisis the world over.
Either way talking shop with the people out there quickly reveals that they have little choice but to grin and bear it.
Jing Yi, 21, feels that everything has become quite expensive.
“There is a lot of difference when bringing, say RM50, to buy some groceries nowadays.
“Definitely a slight increase especially when eating out nowadays but I hope it won’t go up a lot,” she added as she helped her mum fill the grocery trolley at the newly opened Everise Supermarket at Tabuan Jaya near here.
Another shopper, who was reluctant to be photographed and prefers to remain anonymous said she like everyone else has been feeling the pinch.
“Of course, I feel the pinch when going out to buy my groceries now but what can we do?
“I don’t blame anybody for it. The prices of goods can increase or decrease. That happens, ” she quipped.
Some others like 23-year-old Subelisza felt that price increases of goods are still manageable.
“So far so good. Some prices of the items have increased by one or two sen and some prices remain the same.
“I think it all depends on where and which supermarket you buy your groceries or items from. Some places are still good,” she added.
The single woman also said shopping at the malls for clothing and fashion goods is also still manageable.
“I still shop for my clothes and it’s not really a problem for me,” she added.
Meanwhile, a couple when met after eating at one of their usual eateries, felt that food prices are already “very very high”.
“Even the prepared food is already increased by 50 sen like a bowl of kolok mee,” said the retirees.
“There is definitely an increase and we can feel it when eating out nowadays,” they added.
