Commentary by Mustafa K Anuar

PRICES of certain essential items have gone up and become a cause for concern for ordinary Malaysians, particularly the financially strapped, following the economic slowdown post-pandemic.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang, for instance, has raised an alarm about increased prices of vegetables, which are important food items for Malaysians and, therefore, should not be hiked up beyond their reach.

As if this is not enough, consumers had a rude shock recently arising from an announcement about a price hike of a particular brand of bread in the peninsula.

Chicken has also seen its price being inflated, obviously worrying consumers who are already burdened with financial hardship, some of them being retrenched, while others are made to take a pay cut and at the same time pay their debts.

That is why Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi felt compelled to deny that he had suggested recently to Malaysian consumers to opt for duck while waiting for the government to investigate the increased price of chicken.

A video allegedly showing Linggi stating that consumers should replace chicken with duck has gone viral, hence Linggi’s subsequent public denial.

Obviously, the price hike of chicken, among other things, is something to be taken seriously, and Linggi rightly pointed out that it would be insensitive of him if he were to make fun of people in financial difficulties.

Had he resorted to levity, it would be as insensitive as Marie-Antoinette, the French queen during the French revolution, who told starving peasant subjects without bread, to eat cake instead, which was more expensive.

In fact, Linggi’s ministry is anticipated to swiftly address the price hike for the sake of ordinary consumers.

People expect the kind of determination that spurred the federal cabinet to spring into action when it was confronted with the recent Timah whisky brouhaha. Four ministers, including Linggi, were speedily cobbled to look into the spirited case.

If one of the problems for the price hike is due to shortage of manpower needed by the vegetable farms concerned, then the Human Resources Ministry ought to be roped in to address the issue.

Other ministries related to the price hike matter should also chip in to ensure faster resolution.

Essential goods that are made expensive would certainly eat into the limited financial resources, particularly for those in the B40 category as well as some from even the M40, which in turn would worsen their plight.

At the time of writing, it was reported by Utusan Malaysia that prices of spare parts of motor vehicles would be raised by up to 60%, which is equally bad news for consumers who need parts replacement of their vehicles.

Furthermore, additional expenses incurred by manufacturers as well as transporters as a result of the spare parts price hike are likely to be passed on to consumers.

In the meantime, there are still people who raise white flags to request for assistance just so they can survive amid the economic slowdown.

To be sure, this is the kind of worry weighing down on ordinary Malaysians, which has no parallel to the sort of concern expressed by certain political leaders over who should get what after the tenure of prime ministership is over.

It is of utmost urgency that the government look into the price hike issue so that the welfare of members of the so-called Malaysian Family, particularly the vulnerable, is well taken care of. – November 26, 2021.