SUNGAI PETANI: The retail price of chicken in Kedah is expected to remain stable at below RM9.40 per kilogramme ahead of the Deepavali festive period this Sunday.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's state director Affendi Rajini Kanth said this is based on feedbacks gathered from chicken retailers and suppliers on the supply of the main source of protein for Malaysians.
"For the Deepavali festive period, we have checked the supply status and its price, as of today the overall supply in Kedah is under control and stable.
"Hence, we do not expect there will be a sudden price increase during the Deepavali festive period since the supply is stable," he told reporters after launching the state-level Deepavali price control scheme at Econsave Bandar Puteri Jaya here today.
Affendi added that overall, the retail price of chicken in all premises in Kedah remained at below RM9.40 per kilogramme after the subsidies and price control of chicken were lifted on Nov 1.
"Our checks since Nov 1 at all premises including public markets and nights markets in the state showed that overall, the retailers are selling chicken at between RM8 and RM9 per kilogramme.
"Except for Langkawi, where it is being sold at RM9.90 per kg when the price was offloaded beginning this month. However, during my visit to the island last week, some of the retailers are selling chicken at between RM9.40 and RM9.50 per kilogramme," he said.
Affendi expressed his appreciation to the retailers, suppliers and chicken farmers for their cooperation by not increasing the chicken price.
Chicken is not listed as one of the eight essential item listed under the price control scheme for Deepavali. The prices of items on the list are stable, said Affendi.
"As for now we have not received any complaints or official report from consumers on the price hike of the items listed under the price control scheme for Deepavali.
"For now the supply for the Deepavali essential items are stable, thus we are not expecting any price hike. However, we encourage consumers to report to us if any retailers selling the items above the ceiling price set by the government.
"We also wish to remind retailers and suppliers to adhere to the control price scheme. We will take stern action against anyone caught for flouting the ceiling price," he said.
Actions could be taken against errant traders and suppliers under the Price Control Act and Anti-profiteering 2011.
The price control scheme on the eight items is being enforced for seven days, commencing today until three days after the Deepavali festive which falls on this Sunday.
Among the eight items are imported lamb with bones, which is set at RM28 per kilogramme for the wholesale price and RM32 per kilogramme for the retail price.
Tomatoes is set at RM5 (wholesale) and RM6 (retail) per kilogramme; red chillies at RM15 (wholesale) and RM17 (retail) per kilogramme, whole coconut at RM1.90 (wholesale) per piece and grated coconut at RM7.60 (retail) per kilogramme.
The price for Indian shallots (excluding rose shallots) was at RM4 (wholesale) and RM5 (retail) per kilogramme, imported red shallots at RM3 (wholesale) and RM4 (retail) per kilogramme and Australian dhal at RM4 (wholesale) and RM5 (retail) per kilogramme.
The eight items placed under the scheme will complement the additional items that are controlled in terms of price such as eggs, bottled cooking oil and sugar.
Affendi added that the ministry is also organising seven Rahmah sales for Deepavali at seven location in Kedah for the festive, including at the Econsave.
"This is part of the Madani government initiative to ease the people's burden. For instance, the chicken price at this Econsave branch is being sold at just RM6.59 per kilogramme for today only," he said.
