KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan vice-president Terrence Siambun has called for stricter checks on sundry shops operated by foreigners in rural areas to prevent the indiscriminate sale of subsidized goods at high prices.
Siambun raised concerns about unscrupulous traders and suppliers manipulating prices, particularly targeting lower-income groups in the suburbs and rural areas of Sabah.
He disclosed that he has received complaints from villagers regarding foreign-operated sundry shops selling essential items such as cooking oil, rice, sugar, and flour at inflated prices, even though these goods are controlled items and should be sold at lower prices.
Siambun highlighted a specific case in which a sundry shop sold one-liter plastic cooking oil packets for RM3.50 instead of RM2.50.
He questioned whether the shop operators were profiting from the inflated prices or if they obtained their stock at higher prices from suppliers. Siambun called for an investigation into these suppliers.
Siambun urged the state government and relevant departments and agencies to ensure price stability in Sabah. He emphasized the importance of constant monitoring to protect consumers, especially those in the lower-income group residing in suburbs and rural areas, from unscrupulous traders and suppliers who manipulate supply and demand.
He also emphasized the need to prevent severe shortages of subsidized goods, recalling last year’s cooking oil shortage in Sabah.
Another Warisan vice-president, Dr. Daud Yusof, also called on the government to take measures to stabilize vegetable prices, especially during the current wet season, which can lead to floods and increased prices.
Dr. Daud suggested engaging with producers and farm operators to prevent price spikes and ensure stability. He expressed concerns that prolonged heavy rain and destructive flooding could disrupt vegetable yields and lead to soaring prices. Farmers may also struggle to recover their losses.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
