KUALA LUMPUR: Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed today that only four fresh items saw price increases of up to 10 per cent between July 2024 and June 2024.
The items include regular papaya, which rose from RM4.48 to RM5.57 per kilogram, white prawns, which increased from RM36.67 to RM42.29 per kilogram, Valencia oranges, which rose by RM1.24 to RM1.43 each, and seedless guava, which increased from RM9.65 to RM10.81 per kilogram.
He said these fresh items were among 238 goods that experienced price hikes.
However, Rafizi added that 177 items saw price reductions, while 59 items remained unchanged in price.
"There are 20 fresh items that saw prices drop by more than 10 per cent, including cucumbers, long beans, bird's eye chillies, round cabbage, sheep mutton, calamondin limes, mustard greens, red grapes, bell peppers, long beans, clean chicken, kailan, celery, winged beans, round eggplants, cauliflower, and lime," he said in a post on X after receiving a report from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN).
He made the post after hearing complaints on social media claiming that prices of goods were skyrocketing despite the country's inflation rate being stable and below two per cent, its lowest in years.
"They say that the inflation rate is incorrect and manipulated. I too sometimes wonder, could the inflation reports be a trick?
"But I am confident that government officials are not deceiving me when they finalise the inflation reports every month, so I think it's worth checking. That's why I got a detailed report from KPDN to show a comparison of goods prices," he explained.
He added that after reviewing the KPDN report, he felt more reassured as the country has a robust goods pricing reporting system, and the inflation report is supported by the fluctuations in the prices of monitored goods.
"Every month, some goods prices go up, some go down, and some remain unchanged.
"But no one can deny that inflation remains low compared to before the Madani Government took over.
"So, if you come across people on social media claiming that prices of goods are soaring and that life is miserable due to rising costs, I ask you to send that proof to me.
"(This) so I can forward it to KPDN for action because it's clear that the traders are taking advantage, even though the overall inflation rate is low," he said.