PUTRAJAYA: According to Domestic Trade and Cost of Living deputy minister Fuziah Salleh, consumers have the power to reject traders who sell food at inflated prices.
Even with the rise in food prices at Ramadan bazaars, she advised consumers to be discerning and use their influence to avoid making purchases from traders charging excessively high amounts.
“While complaints about high food prices have been received, the ministry ensures that traders do not engage in profiteering or impose unreasonable price hikes,” she said during the launch of the Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar (BRR) 2024 at Precinct 14 on Thursday (March 14).
Fuziah highlighted that consumers can influence market prices which forces traders to reduce their prices.
Using the example of expensive murtabak at Ramadan bazaars, she explained that the price increase is inevitable due to the rising costs of raw materials such as imported meat and onions.
The ministry received 126 complaints and carried out 11 investigations, with nine focusing on Ramadan bazaars during Ops Pantau conducted over two days starting from March 12.
Out of the nine cases related to Ramadan bazaars, five were concerning the absence of price tags, while four were linked to price hikes.
On a different topic, Fuziah mentioned that BRR 2024 is a continuation of last year’s successful event, which attracted 1,014 traders.
One requirement for BRR is that 40% of traders at BRR locations must provide Rahmah-priced menus and promote reasonable rental rates for traders.
BRR 2024 takes place at 64 locations nationwide, offering menus priced at RM5 and below as an extra option for buyers. – Bernama
