DOMESTIC Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today told former prime minister Najib Razak not to “spin” the prices of goods issue.

The newly minted minister from PKR said there are several reasons why some prices have not gone down since the zero-rating of the goods and services tax.

“I thank him (Najib) for his remarks. This is the first time he has shown care and concern for the people.

“Throughout the time he was prime minister, he had caused massive damage to the nation, which we are now remedying. We are not using it as an excuse not to deliver our pledges.

“Since the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government zero-rated the GST on June 1, we have been moving towards abolishing it at Parliament,” he told reporters at Komtar today.

Yesterday, Najib said he was shocked that the current government was “admitting” that GST was not the cause of price hikes.

The Pekan MP, who lost power after the 14th general election, made the remark on Facebook after reading news reports that that the prices of goods barely dropped after the GST was zero-rated.

PH, when it was in the opposition, had repeatedly attacked the 6% GST implemented by Najib’s administration, blaming it for rising cost of living.

PH pledged to scrap the consumption tax if it was given the mandate to govern at federal level.

Saifuddin said his ministry had been monitoring prices daily and admitted that the number of complaints received from the people had tripled since GST was zero-rated.

“More than half the complaints were over the prices at food outlets, namely Indian-Muslim restaurants and cafeterias. But that is an issue with the discipline and ethics of the food outlet operators.

“Najib doesn’t have to spin the issue, which involves the ethics of businessmen,” he said.

Saifuddin also told Najib that the increase in cost of living is not solely caused by the increase of prices of goods.

“Other factors like the costs for housing, education, healthcare, transport, utilities, as well as food contributes to it. He should not just point to one segment.”

The minister also encouraged Najib to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which starts next Monday to take part in the debates.

“I hope he attends everyday and not ‘ponteng’ like when he was prime minister. We will answer all his questions.”

Saifuddin also said the ministry would take enforcement action against errant businessmen, who violate price control regulations, such as seizing their items and equipment, fining them and take them to court. – July 13, 2018.