THE price of chicken could decrease to below RM9.40 per kg even after subsidies and price controls were discontinued from tomorrow, Acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said.

He said industry players have assured the government chicken prices would not surge after tomorrow, and that supplies would be enough.

“After implementing (subsidies and price controls on chicken) for 20 months, we can float chicken prices.

“The industry has also guaranteed that the supply will be sufficient, and they are able to sell it at a lower rate than the (previous) controlled prices,” he told reporters after officiating at the Malaysia Competition Commission Open Day in Serdang today.

Agriculture and Food Security Ministry Mohamad Sabu yesterday said subsidies and price controls for chicken would be terminated from tomorrow, while subsidies and price controls for grade A, B and C eggs would remain.

Mohamad said the move would reduce subsidy leakages.

He called on consumers not to resort to panic buying during the coming days as the supply of chicken is guaranteed to be sufficient.

The media reported concerns among the public about the price floats for chicken, as many were afraid costs would soar out of reach of lower-income groups.

Armizan said his ministry would deploy 900 officers to all areas tomorrow to monitor chicken prices and take legal action if necessary.

He also said his ministry would amend the Competition Act 2010 and Competition Commission Act 2010, which would likely be tabled at the first Dewan Rakyat session next year. – Bernama, October 31, 2023.