No complaints on price hikes during recent festive seasons, says domestic trade minister

The government did not receive any complaints regarding price hikes or the unavailability of essential goods during the past three festive seasons, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

Speaking during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today, he said this was based on statistics obtained by his ministry during the recent Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

"Reports on the maximum price control scheme during the festive seasons, beginning from when we took office, including Christmas, Chinese New Year, and most recently Aidilfitri, show 'zero complaints'," he said.

"There were no complaints about price increases or the unavailability of essential goods. The only issues were minor ones, such as the absence of price tags."

He said this in response to a question raised by Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee.

However, Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid from Perikatan Nasional criticised Salahuddin's response, saying the Amanah leader was detached from reality, as the people's complaints proved otherwise.

Rosol also questioned whether the government was able to fulfil the promises made by Pakatan Harapan to lower oil and car prices before coming into power.

"The prime minister gave assurances of reduced oil prices. Experts said there would be a formula to reduce car prices," he said, referring to Anwar Ibrahim and Rafizi Ramli.

"So, to what extent can these be implemented in the ministry to ensure that the people out there, especially the B40 group, are not burdened?"

The Pulai MP then defended his response by stating that the data received was from enforcement agencies.

"The chief enforcer wouldn't lie. It's not possible.

"Food prices have increased, that might be true.

"If we say that the price of basic goods have suddenly increased, that is not true because the government controls that," added Salahuddin.