PUTRAJAYA: The PriceCatcher application developed by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry aims to empower consumers by enabling them to compare prices across stores and make smarter purchasing decisions.
The app's features are designed to help consumers manage their daily necessities efficiently.
One of its most innovative features is the "Jom Kongsi" (Let's Share) function, which allows users to upload and share promotional prices they find at various retail outlets. This community-driven approach crowdsources information to keep consumers updated on real-time price changes and deals.
Another standout feature is the "My Basket" option, which lets consumers plan their purchases strategically.
Users can identify which stores offer the best prices for essential items such as fish, vegetables and eggs by creating a shopping list. This tool is particularly beneficial for budget-conscious shoppers aiming to maximise savings.
Despite its potential, the app's public awareness remains low.
National Goods Prices Department director Selvi Shanmugam highlighted the ministry's efforts to ramp up promotional campaigns to increase adoption.
"We have invested heavily in the development of this app, but the promotion has yet to reach the public on a larger scale. We want to increase its usage because the features we've implemented are designed to directly benefit the rakyat," she said.
Launched in 2017, PriceCatcher has undergone several updates to improve functionality. Selvi emphasised that the app is more than just a price comparison tool; it empowers consumers to make informed decisions, particularly in times of rising living costs.
"We are now urging Malaysians to start using PriceCatcher to compare prices before making purchases. This is especially helpful at a time when people need to save wherever they can," she added.
Fazherawati Nordin, a price monitoring officer with over a decade of experience, plays a key role in gathering price data across Malaysia.
Since 2014, her duties have included collecting prices for essential goods like groceries and household items from wet markets, hypermarkets, supermarkets and mini-markets.
"We monitor prices across 1,641 premises and cover 480 essential items. Of these, 186 are monitored daily, 220 weekly and 74 monthly," she explained.
Once the prices are collected, officers update the ministry's database, ensuring the PriceCatcher app reflects the most current information.
While the process sounds straightforward, Fazherawati faces significant challenges, particularly with public perception and logistical issues.
"One of the main challenges is that consumers and traders do not fully understand the purpose and importance of price monitoring. This lack of awareness can cause misunderstandings, resistance, or discomfort," she said.
The situation is further complicated in remote regions such as Sabah and Sarawak, where vast distances, challenging terrain and unsafe roads make price collection difficult and time-consuming.
"In Sabah and Sarawak, geography presents a major challenge. The distances between locations are immense, and unsafe roads delay the process of gathering prices quickly," she added.
Such delays can affect how promptly the data is updated in the PriceCatcher app.
Despite these obstacles, Fazherawati and her team remain committed to ensuring accurate, real-time data reach consumers. Beyond aiding individuals, their efforts also support the government in shaping policies that stabilise market prices.
"Our job doesn't end with collecting prices. We also provide critical data to the government, helping shape pricing policies and ensuring market stability."
With its innovative features and dedicated workforce, the PriceCatcher app is positioned to become a valuable tool for consumers navigating rising living costs. The ministry's ongoing promotional efforts aim to increase adoption, empowering Malaysians to make smarter, more informed shopping decisions.