MIRI: The shortage of red onions here can be attributed to the unseasonal rainfall that impacted the production and harvest of the onions which come from India.
“The situation has caused a drastic price hike for the onions,” said Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP)’s Miri branch chief Joe Azmi Jamil on Monday (Feb 8).
Joe Azmi was met after carrying out an inspection on 16 items under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) 2021 at Emart Riam here in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
The SHMMP, effective from Feb 8 to 16, is to curb increase in prices of essential good ahead of the celebration, which will be celebrated on Feb 12 nationwide.
Among the items listed in the SHMMP’s list are live chickens; standard chickens; super chickens; grade A, B, and C chicken eggs; imported round cabbages; Chinese potatoes; Chinese garlic; white pomfrets; large white prawns; live pigs, and pork (belly, meat, and fat).
The implementation of the scheme was subject to provision stipulated under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Mechanism to Determine Unreasonable High Profit for Goods) Regulations 2018.
Commenting on his inspection today (Monday), Joe Azmi is satisfied with the prices of goods offered under the SHMMP scheme.
“Most of the items are priced in accordance with the SHMMP regulations set up by the ministry,” he said.
On another note, he also reminded the people to always adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“Like other enforcement agencies, KPDNHEP has also been given the authority to issue compounds to those who fail to comply with the SOPs,” he said.
