THE government has increased the monitoring of and inspections on suppliers and retailers since the beginning of this year to ensure that the costs and prices of goods remained at appropriate levels, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.

In a written reply to Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang) he said between January and May, 384,019 checks were conducted and goods worth RM840,455.27 were seized.

'Second chance' plan

THE Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry plans to introduce a "second chance" scheme to help entrepreneurs whose first business venture had failed due to unavoidable factors such as natural disasters and diseases.

Minister Datuk Noh Omar said graduates who have been blacklisted for not repaying their study loans will also be eligible.
He said that in the case of blacklisted students, it was not fair to deny them the opportunity to venture into business.

Schools in new areas

NEW schools will be build in locations with high population density or where development of new residential areas is taking shape.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, in a written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), said the ministry provided education facilities for all races.

Apart from building more schools to promote national unity, the ministry has also set aside RM174.34 million to build Chinese schools and RM64.84 million for Tamil schools.