THE government, through the Special Task Force on Jihad Against Inflation, will strive to keep the inflation rate in Malaysia low and manageable to ensure the well-being of Malaysian families, Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa announced.

Annuar, who is the chairman of the task force, said it would give attention to all prices of goods and services that could contribute to the increase in the inflation rate, apart from chicken, eggs and cooking oil.

“We are also giving assurance that we will continue taking a proactive approach to control and keep the country’s inflation at a low and manageable rate.”

He said this at a press conference after chairing the task force’s first meeting which was also attended by Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Alexander Nanta Linggi and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the Cabinet had agreed to form a special task force to help Malaysian families face the rising cost of living.

Ismail Sabri said the main role of the special task force is to gather information from ministries, agencies and the public, and to formulate strategies and coordinate actions to resolve issues relating to inflation, especially in controlling price hikes more efficiently and effectively.

Apart from Nanta and Mohd Zuki, members of the task force also comprised Minister of Finance Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Dr Ronald Kiandee and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.

Annuar said the formation of the task force would strengthen cooperation among various agencies and would be expanded should the need arise.

“The special task force’s main task is not limited to the members’ ministries as more ministers would be invited into the task force if there are issues relevant to them.”

“Several agencies will be included such as BNM (Bank Negara Malaysia), the police and a group of consultants who have the expertise to provide views and advice to this task force, especially on measures that can be taken,” he said. – Bernama, June 30, 2022.

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