KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has deployed over 2,000 enforcement personnel to monitor chicken prices as they are now being floated. Acting Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali stated that a total of 2,300 enforcement personnel and 900 price monitoring officers have been assigned to surveil the situation at all levels, including hypermarkets, mini-markets, supermarkets, wet markets, sundry shops, and others in order to assess the impact of the floating of chicken prices. He also expressed concerns about the potential rise of cartels and emphasized the need to strengthen the Competition Act to address such issues. The ministry had engaged with the industry before making the decision to float chicken prices and requested assurance and cooperation from them for both supply and reasonable prices.
The concerns raised by Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) about the possibility of price increases due to the floating mechanism were responded to by the acting minister. Chicken prices will now be determined by market forces as the government has ended chicken price controls and subsidies in an effort to reduce leakages enjoyed by foreigners and high-income earners. Ariffin Samsudin, the director of the ministry in Kuala Lumpur, stated that there are 94 enforcement officers and 75 price check officers assigned to monitor prices in the city. According to him, suppliers were offering prices between RM7.10 and RM7.60 as of November 1, taking into account cash purchases without credit. At Chow Kit market, most sellers were selling chicken at prices ranging from RM9 to RM9.40 per kg, which is still close to the previous ceiling price.
During his visit to the market, Ariffin reminded sellers to inform the ministry if their suppliers suddenly increase prices drastically. He further added that action will be taken against sellers who increase prices up to RM11 under the Price Control Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. Sellers are advised not to raise prices indiscriminately and any profiteering will not be allowed. The float has allowed the government to save RM100 million in subsidies every month, which can be redirected to assist the chicken industry and stabilize prices. Additionally, a Jualan Rahmah event will be held at Stadium Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, on November 4-5, where essential items such as cooking oil, rice, chicken, eggs, meats, and sardines will be sold at low prices subsidized between 30% and 40%. The sale is open only to Malaysians, and each person is entitled to purchase one per item.
On Monday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced the discontinuation of subsidies and price controls on chicken. However, subsidies and price controls for grade A, B, and C eggs will remain unchanged according to the existing mechanism.
