ALOR STAR: The government's decision to lower the retail prices of grade A, B, and C eggs and maintain those of bottled palm cooking oil will benefit the Bottom 40 (B40) and hardcore poor population.
Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) president Yusrizal Yusoff welcomed the government's efforts to assist the less fortunate, who are burdened by the rising cost of living.
"We (Cake) welcome the reduction in egg prices and the maintenance of cooking oil prices amid rising costs of living. We hope the prices of goods are coming down. This can ease the burden on low-income groups.
"While this may reduce the burden slightly, the high cost of living is still felt by consumers," he said today, adding that he hoped the prices of other essentials would also become stabilised.
Yusrizal said the announcement aligned with the promise made by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli that the rationalisation of the diesel subsidy should not affect the prices of essentials.
However, Yusrizal acknowledged reports that prices of certain goods had increased despite the government's efforts to ensure the food supply chain is unaffected.
Hence, he called for the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to crack down on businesses and traders exploiting the diesel subsidy rationalisation exercise.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the retail prices of grade A, B, and C eggs across the country would be reduced by three cents per egg, effective today.
This will make the retail prices for grade A, B, and C chicken eggs 42 sen, 40 sen and 38 sen, respectively.
Anwar said the government had also maintained the price of bottled palm cooking oil at RM6.90 (1kg), RM13.30 (2kg), RM19.60 (3kg), and RM30.90 (5kg), despite global crude palm oil (CPO) prices rising above the threshold price of RM3,890 per tonne.
Meanwhile, Yusrizal urged the government to resolve the local white rice supply crisis following the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's announcement that a decision on the rice's ceiling price would be finalised in October.
He said a proper adjustment in local white rice prices would reduce food costs and not burden the people.
"This issue has led consumers to buy imported rice at high prices, ranging from RM38 to RM40 per 10kg. We (Cake) hope the matter will be resolved soon. Introducing a new ceiling price for local white rice may help," he added.