Some rush to stock up before float

Consumers in Johor Baru started panic buying larger quantities of chicken before subsidies and price controls were discontinued on November 1st. Chicken seller Haikal Rafiee sold out of chickens at his stall in the Perling market by 8am on Tuesday as customers rushed to stock up before prices floated the next day. Haikal explained that many customers bought three to four birds instead of their usual one or two due to fears of a price hike. However, he assured that his standard chicken was still being sold at RM9 per kg, which is lower than the previous ceiling price of RM9.40. Standard chicken includes heads, feet, and internal organs, while super chicken does not.

Another poultry seller at the Johor Jaya market, Foo Dek Seng, maintained the price of her super chicken at RM11 per kg. She commented that her customers were willing to accept this price as the birds were cleaned very well. The prices of chicken are determined by the suppliers, and Foo stated that she would maintain her prices if there were no changes at the source. Retiree Calvin Lee was pleased to find that the mini market near his house in Taman Gaya maintained the price of poultry at RM8.50 per kg. He commended the government’s decision to lift subsidies, but expressed hope that they would continue monitoring the situation to prevent prices from skyrocketing.

Freelance videographer Mohd Ali Yunus expressed concern that eateries may use the floating of chicken prices as an excuse to increase their own prices. He cited examples of ayam penyet sellers who had already raised their prices by RM1 two weeks before the lifting of the chicken subsidy was announced. Mohd Ali believed that people were already feeling financially strained due to the high cost of living. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the decision to lift the chicken subsidy aimed to reduce subsidies benefiting foreigners and high-income groups. He also stated that the move took into account the current trend of supply and prices, which have started to stabilize.