Several Ministries Working Together To Overcome Middlemen Issue Says Salahuddin

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Domestic trade and cost of living minister Salahuddin Ayub (centre) assured that there was enough packet cooking oil for the country. (Bernama pic)BUKIT MERTAJAM: The domestic trade and cost of living ministry is collaborating with several other ministries to overcome the problem of middlemen jacking up the prices of goods.
Minister Salahuddin Ayub told reporters that his ministry was constantly making efforts to reduce the role of middlemen in a bid to keep prices in check.
“To overcome the issue of middlemen, and to ensure reasonable prices of goods, the ministry is collaborating with the agriculture and food security ministry, transport ministry, and the international trade and industry ministry, in the case of imported goods.
“This middlemen issue has to be settled in a prudent manner, and we regularly hold engagement sessions with all quarters, especially at the chain and supply levels. If this issue can be settled, consumers can enjoy reasonable prices.
“Like now, vegetables are priced reasonably and there are no worries about a hike in prices this Ramadan. In fact, the supply of chicken and vegetables is sufficient,” he said after launching a Hari Raya Aidilfitri-related initiative together with the Bakul Rahmah programme here today.
Salahuddin also gave an assurance that there would be adequate supply of all controlled goods for the Aidilfitri celebration.
Although there were reports of packet cooking oil shortages in some parts of Malaysia, the minister said the monthly supply of up to 60,000 tonnes was sufficient to meet the country’s needs.
Salahuddin said among the factors contributing to a shortage in subsidised packet cooking oil were the implementation of the Cooking Oil Price Stabilisation Scheme as well as the credit issue involving retailers and wholesalers. - FMT

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