KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has agreed to form the National Cost of Living Action Council, to address issues involving cost of living.
The announcement was made by the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin during the 2017 Umno General Assembly at Putra World Trade Centre here today.
He said the decision was made following a motion moved by Umno Youth Information chief Jamawi Jaafar yesterday, debating the economy motion at the general assembly.
"I would like to congratulate the Tenom Youth representative, Jamawi Jaafar who suggested for the government to form the National Cost of Living Action Council.
"I would like to announce here that party President (Najib) has agreed for the government to form the council as suggested," he said in his winding speech during the general assembly.
According to Hamzah, the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also the Cost of Living Committee Chairman, had instructed him to focus on factors contributing to inflation.
The Umno Supreme Council member said, these factors involve housing, transportation, utilities as well as on food and beverages.
Hamzah said the prime minister has also agreed to not increase prices of basic necessities such as sugar, flour, cooking oil, rice and cooking gas (LPG).
"This is because the party President feels that this will help the people nationwide. We can afford to give out subsidies through the basic necessities. To date, the government has spent RM2 billion a year.
"The prime minister has also agreed to create a People's Sales Programme to help consumers in buying goods at a lower price.
"He (Najib) also agreed for this programme to be championed by (Umno) division leaders nationwide. We will use this programme to stop all negative perceptions brought about by the opposition," he added.
On fresh food items such as fish, chicken, meat and vegetables, Hamzah said the government through the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry will go after unscrupulous middle men who increase prices at will.
To curb the problem, he said the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 will be amended, where KPDNKK will include additional elements that can help them in their fight against the dishonest middle men.
For items like onions, chillies, potatoes and spices, Hamzah said KPDNKK will try to provide comfort to consumers by opening more 1Malaysia People's Shop 2.0 ( KR1M 2.0), which will be launched soon.
"We know that price increase issues was there even during Prophet Muhammad's time. There is a hadith on this, where a person asked Prophet Muhammad to set the price of goods when it increased then.
"Prophet Muhammad said it is Allah who sets the price, the one who narrows and expands one's income (rezeki).
"This shows that what is being done by us (government) now is also being done by our leader (Najib). It is similar to what is being demanded by the Prophet, which is not to meddle in the right to have a free market in the country."