KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) today urged the government, particularly the newly set up task force to address inflation, to also look into actions against profiteering by unscrupulous traders.
"There have been reports that some traders were hiking prices, in some cases beyond the ceiling prices set by the government.
"The government must be seen to be cracking down on these errant businesses and take action against them," said its president-designate, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
She said the move to set up a committee to tackle inflation shows the government's commitment in addressing the issue that is affecting the community.
"PBM is hopeful that this multi-ministerial effort can help contain inflation to a manageable rate.
"Malaysians have to realise that the rising prices of goods and services is largely due to external factors, such as the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions and uncertain global weather conditions," she said in a statement.
Compared with other countries, she said, Malaysia has a track record of keeping the lid on inflationary pressure.
For example, the United Kingdom recently announced that its inflation rate was at 9.1 per cent, the highest in 40 years.
In the United States, it was 8.6 per cent, also another four-decade high. In Malaysia, inflation for May was at 2.8 per cent, as announced by the Statistics Department recently, she said.
"On top of that, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz disclosed that the government would be spending some RM80 billion on subsidies this year, the highest in the country's history.
"Without subsidies like cooking oil, sugar, petrol and rice, the prices of many essential items would have spiralled out of control, leaving vulnerable groups like the B40 in dire situation," she said.
Zuraida, who is also the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, said the government should also be commended for setting a ceiling price for chicken at RM9.40 per kg.
"By not letting the price float, Malaysians are still able to enjoy chicken at a more affordable price," she added.
