PUTRAJAYA must act now to reduce the prices of goods and not wait until December 9, Lim Guan Eng said today. 

The December 9 is the deadline given by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi. 

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, said the spike in the prices of regular food items has made these a luxury for regular Malaysians. 

“The federal government should bear full responsibility if the prices are not brought down by December 9. At the same time, it must also act now to reduce the prices and not wait till then. 

“They must be reminded that these daily necessities are not luxury goods but the prices are now at luxury levels,” the former finance minister said in a statement. 

Lim said if the government does nothing to bring down the prices of goods, it will appear uncaring to the plight of the people. 

“Never before have Malaysians seen such high prices of daily necessities such as eggs, chickens, bread, vegetables and even ice cubes.”

He also questioned whether Nanta will resign if he fails to control the prices of goods. 

Nanta had blamed higher operation costs in the supply chain to the surge in prices, saying it would be resolved by December 9.

Various factors can cause an increasing price trend, including a rise in demand and cost of delivery, foreign exchange, the weak growth of exporting countries and weather, he had added. 

Lim also warned that if the Ismail Sabri Yaakob government does nothing to control the soaring prices of goods, it risks being labelled as a failure. 

“Muhyiddin Yassin is known as a failed prime minister over his inability to manage the Covid-19 epidemic and the economic recession. 

“Will the new prime minister be another failure like Muhyiddin for not only failing to manage the virus outbreak and economic recession but also soaring prices of basic necessities?” the Bagan MP asked. – November 28, 2021.