TO ease cost-of-living woes, Putrajaya will place more consumer items on the price-control list, said Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The domestic trade and consumer affairs minister said the government has targeted “popular” consumer goods for the purpose.

“We have been asked to identify food items that are popular among Malaysians for the price-control scheme,” he said after a meeting of the National Cost of Living Action Council in Putrajaya today.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minster Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Saifuddin said the move may take a while as many stakeholders, including suppliers and sellers, are involved.

“We can implement these (lower) prices, but there are other issues. We must first ask suppliers of these items whether they have enough stock.

“We don’t want a situation where we set the price first, and then there is no supply.”

He said the council discussed the possibility of increasing the time frame for the sale of price-controlled goods during festive periods.

“The price-control scheme has a positive impact on consumers, so we are discussing the possibility of lengthening the period of time for the sale of price-controlled goods during festive periods.”

Among the price-controlled items he mentioned are sugar, cooking oil and gas for cooking.

The council also discussed the possibility of a 20% discount on all Keretapi Tanah Melayu fares.

Saifuddin said the proposal will be brought to the cabinet, and a decision will be made together with the Transport Ministry.

“The mechanism and structure of the discount, which includes intercity and rural travel, will be fine-tuned by the Transport Ministry.”

He added that the council decided that the Food Bank Malaysia project will be implemented at institutions of higher learning nationwide.

“Students are burdened by the high cost of living, and this will help them.”

On the cost-of-living issue, he said the matter must be given immediate attention, and that the government welcomes all forms of help, including from the opposition.

“The opposition can give their opinion, and we will listen if it’s constructive and helps the people.” – February 15, 2019.