PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today conducted a random spot check on prices of goods at a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to reporters after conducting the spot check, Ismail Sabri said he did not deny that there was an increase in the price of chicken and other raw materials imposed by traders before the removal of the goods subsidies.

“Chickens, for example, we will still subsidise from today until June 30. I don’t understand why wholesalers sell at RM8.90. Before June 30, the price is still subsidised by the government, and should not have reached RM8.90 from wholesalers to retailers.

“Chicken prices from wholesalers should be lower because retailers also need to make a profit,” he said at Quill City Mall in Kuala Lumpur.

The Prime Minister stressed that he would be carrying out more spot checks in the future to ensure that no profiteering of goods is done by traders before the abolition of subsidies for chicken and some other goods on July 1.

Ismail Sabri also said that he would be holding a special meeting tomorrow with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (Mafi) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to discuss issues surrounding chicken supply and the new ceiling price for chicken in the market, besides the increase in the price of some other raw items such as fish.

“I hope both ministries can take action (on the matter) and impose strict action if there is excessive profiteering,” he said.

During the spot check, Ismail Sabri spent time listening to the grouses of the people who shopped at the supermarket.

He said most of whom he met complained about the increase in prices of goods. – Bernama, June 26, 2022.