GEORGE TOWN: After raising the alarm on Deepavali essential items price shock, two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have revealed an increase in the prices of prayer items.
The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) said checks showed that the prices of 18 basic Hindu prayer items had shot up between 10 and 56 per cent compared with that listed in November last year.
They included camphor, garland, rosewater, jasmine fresh flowers (imported and local), dahlias, lotus, roses, balsamic resin (sambrani), incense sticks, betel leaves, betel nuts, coconuts, clay prayer lamps, vanaspati (hydrogenated vegetable oil), prayer oil, shikakai (ayurvedic soap pod) and fresh milk (Dutch Lady brand).
PHA president P. Murugiah said the increase was hurting the poor.
"Deepavali was celebrated recently and the Hindus are now in the midst of preparing for another two major religious festivals, namely the Kantha Shasthi, which is currently being observed until Nov 18. Thaipusam will be celebrated on Jan 21, next year.
"However, many devotees, especially those in the B40 category, are worried and upset to see a sudden increase in prices of many basic prayer items.
"Many of the less fortunate Hindus are finding it financially difficult to fulfil their religious obligations due to the unrealistic increase in the prices of prayer items," he said today.
Murugiah said, in responding to the predicaments voiced by these consumers, PHA and CAP jointly conducted a random survey on the prices of the prayer items in several retail shops in Little India on the island and in Butterworth and Prai on the mainland recently.
He said the analysis of the prices of the prayer items between November last year and November this year showed a marked increase in the prices for all the 18 items.
He stated that the most substantial increase was the one for Vanaspati oil, which rose by an astounding 56 per cent, from RM89 to RM200 per 20kg tin.
He also said that betel nuts saw a 55 per cent increase from RM10 to RM22 per kg, while dahlias and betel leaves each saw a 50 per cent increase in price.
Retail prices for garlands had increased from RM30 to RM35, rose flowers from RM2.50 to RM4 for each piece, local fresh jasmine from RM6 to RM8 per packet, camphor tablets from RM10.50 to RM13.50 per box, he added.
"The cup balsamic resin went up from RM3.50 to RM5 per packet, rose water from RM1 to RM1.50 per bottle (300ml), prayer oil from RM11 to RM16.50 per bottle (two litres), banana from RM4.50 to RM7 per kg and one litre packet fresh milk from RM7 to RM8.80.
"When asked about the rationale for the price increase, the retailers gave the excuse that it was normal for the importers, manufacturers and wholesalers to increase the prices of these items during Hindu festivals. They also attributed the price increase to the prices of raw materials and transportation, as well as the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates and the increase in workers' salaries.
"PHA and CAP are concerned about such spiralling prices of the prayer items and its effect on the devotees, especially those in the B40 group, as they are left with no choices but to accept the unreasonable price increase in order to fulfil their religious duties.
"Taking these into consideration, PHA and CAP strongly urge the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry as well as the Prime Minister's Department to look into the complaints raised by the devotees and to act against the importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers for unwarranted increase in the prices of the basic prayer items," he added.
Meanwhile, CAP senior education and environmental officer N.V. Subbarow said PHA and CAP would also like to suggest to the relevant authorities to create a benchmark price for the prayer items in order to prevent unreasonable prices increase during festive seasons.
"Having said this, PHA and CAP advise all Hindus to exercise prudence and to spend money wisely on buying the prayer items," he said.