ISKANDAR PUTERI: Salahuddin Ayub did not discount the possibility of sabotage on the part of traders who intentionally increase prices of necessities during the month of Ramadan and the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season.
The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister, in expressing his opinion on the matter said he personally felt the need for a study to be carried out to review the issue of prices going up during festive seasons.
"I think a study needs to be done on the concern of possible sabotage. From what I was told, for instance, the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) will give a price suggestion of RM30 - RM33 per kilogramme of local beef, but some traders are selling at RM36 to RM40 per kilogramme.
"Some of them are taking advantage, this is what we are worried about, that some groups are committing sabotage with regard to prices including the prices of fish," Salahuddin said at a press conference at the Johor Menteri Besar's office in Kota Iskandar, here, today.
He said this when asked to comment on the reported hike in prices for 99 essential items including chicken, fish and vegetables.
Salahuddin assured that this matter would be discussed at the Cabinet meting this Wednesday, eventhough the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has yet to appoint a minister in charge of consumer affairs.
"When there is a minister, this will be the minister's responsibility, but if the Prime Minister wishes to assign another minister to take on this responsibility first, we shall wait and see what are the Cabinet's instructions," Salahuddin said.