PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized the need for greater transparency in medicine pricing to ensure affordability for the public. As part of the unity government’s agenda, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of displaying price tags on medicine packaging. He stated that the government recognizes the significance of competitively-priced medicine for the public’s healthcare choices. The National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) Committee has agreed that the Ministry of Health should further refine this matter before its finalization.
Anwar also addressed concerns over potential disruptions in sugar supply due to the escalating global prices of raw sugar. He asserted that urgent action needs to be taken by the government to prevent such disruptions. The Prime Minister informed that this issue will be presented to the Cabinet in the near future. Furthermore, the meeting also discussed the price controls implemented for standard chicken and eggs since February last year. He stressed the importance of finalizing the pricing direction for these items to ensure uninterrupted supply.
To enhance the distribution of rice to rural areas, Anwar instructed the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) to be more proactive in distributing locally produced white rice. This directive follows intervention measures announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to maintain sufficient rice supply in the country.
Anwar clarified that small and medium enterprise (SME) businesses will be exempted from the transaction fee for using the DuitNow quick-response (QR) code. The Central Bank (Bank Negara) had previously emphasized the affordability and cost-effectiveness of DuitNow QR as a payment method for SMEs. Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) has allocated resources to finance the costs incurred by payment service providers, including non-bank providers, and will ensure that SMEs are exempted from the additional charge.
Source: The Star
Related article: The Star
Credit: The Star : News Feed
