PUTRAJAYA, April 12 — The Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) for Aidilfitri involving 30 items will be implemented for 16 days from this Saturday until April 30.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the items included six types of goods from the chicken and egg category, controlled under the maximum price of chicken and eggs which came into force on February 5 last year.
The items controlled under SHMMP 2023 are local beef (except for tenderloin), imported beef, imported buffalo meat from India, ikan kembung (mackerel), ikan selayang (sardines), ikan tongkol and ikan Demudok.
Tomatoes, red chillies, imported round cabbage, long beans, cucumbers, mustard greens, imported old ginger, imported red onion, yellow onion, Chinese garlic, Indian red onion, imported potatoes, dried chillies, peanuts, coconuts and grated coconut.
“The SHMMP implementation period is appropriate according to the current situation, creating a win-win situation for consumers and traders. Consumers get reasonable prices, and traders are not stressed by the long implementation period,” he told a press conference here today.
Salahuddin said the ministry did not plan to extend the SHMMP implementation period because 16 days were sufficient, adding that the prices of subsidised goods such as cooking oil, chicken, eggs, flour and sugar will remain after that.
He said the list of items, the maximum price level and the SHMMP implementation period were determined based on several factors, such as the weather, the global economy, foreign currency exchange rates, wage rates, and supply and demand.
Elaborating, he said the SHMMP is enforced through the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, which allows price determination to be made, and the maximum price set at the wholesaler and retailer levels is available on the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s website.
He also gave assurance that there would be an adequate supply of controlled goods in the market following engagement sessions with industry players and the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
“I hope consumers will avoid panic buying because the supply is always available,” he said.
— Bernama
