KUALA LUMPUR: The current price increase in daily necessities such as eggs, chickens and vegetables is due to higher operational cost in the supply chain which is hoped to be solved in one or two weeks.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said factors that led to a higher price for eggs included the rising cost of animal feed and shortage of workers.
As for the hike in the price of vegetables, he said this was due to the northeast monsoon transition, coupled by floods and landslides in Cameron Highlands recently.
The prevalent issue of manpower shortage and higher global fertiliser price were also some of the factors that led to the hike, he added.
Nanta said a series of discusssions were held yesterday between his ministry, the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry and the Finance Ministry to address the issue.
"Affected operators have expressed the need for financial assistance from the government to reduce their operational cost, and we are waiting for a decision on this from the Finance Ministry.
"So, please be patient, hopefully this issue can be solved in one or two weeks."
He said his ministry together with the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry had set up a joint committee to conduct engagement sessions with industry players for feedback and input on ways to solve the problem.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry officers on the ground were constantly monitoring prices of daily necessities to ensure that they remain affordable and under control.
He stressed that his Ministry could take action against unscrupulous traders under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
