KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has taken several steps to ensure that the supply of food and other essential items is sufficient and available at a reasonable price, especially during the festive season.
According to a news report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), KPDN minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said that among the measures taken is the implementation of the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP).
Salahuddin stressed that they had determined the maximum price for chicken and eggs which are the main source of protein in this country.
“The ministry has established a Special Food Supply Chain Research Committee chaired by the secretary-general of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to conduct monitoring of consumer staples to ensure adequate and stable basic food supplies.
“The ministry also implemented Ops Terjah, to identify supply and pricing issues of basic goods, zones and areas affected by supply and price issues, their level of seriousness as well as to identify the main causes of supply chain issues and prices of basic necessities,” he said.
He said this through a written answer to questions from Lubok Antu MP Roy Angau Gingkoi during the recent Dewan Rakyat session.
Salahuddin said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and Department of Veterinary Services (JPV) are working with other related agencies to obtain information on the entire supply chain of basic goods in the country.
“It is as preparation for the country if we are facing the basic food supply issue.
“The ministry constantly monitors the issue of sudden price increases that occur through direct monitoring and inspection of the premises experiencing the issue.
“Any trader who is found to have raised the price of goods excessively, a written notice will be issued to the traders and action can be taken against those who are found to be making unreasonably high profits during the festive season,” he said.
