CONSUMER associations are urging food vendors not to exploit the phased withdrawal of chicken egg subsidies, which begins tomorrow, by inflating food prices.
Both the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA) and the Malaysian Association of Consumer and Family Economics (MACFEA) are calling for authorities to step up monitoring and enforcement efforts to deter such behaviour.
According to Chief Operating Officer of FOMCA, Nur Asyikin Aminuddin, the government’s decision to reduce and eventually remove the subsidy stems from a more stable egg supply.
“The government has carefully considered the matter, and it is likely that the supply of chicken eggs has stabilised. Once it is stable, pricing should be based on supply and demand,” said Asyikin.
“When the supply is stable, the price of eggs should naturally become cheaper. However, I am concerned that some traders may not fully understand this and may take advantage by raising food prices,” she said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) announced that the egg subsidy will be halved, from 10 sen to 5 sen per egg, starting tomorrow.
The remaining subsidy will be scrapped entirely on 1 August. This follows assurance from industry players that they can maintain sufficient production levels now that production costs have stabilised.
Evidence of stable supply was observed during the recent Aidilfitri celebrations, when eggs were available in adequate quantities and sold at competitive prices.
MACFEA President Dr Ahmad Hariza Hashim reminded the public to be proactive and mindful of their consumer rights.
“Consumers also have the power to lodge complaints with the authorities if they encounter traders who deliberately sell at excessively high prices,” he said.
“Traders should not take advantage of the situation, as it is understood that the production cost of chicken eggs has already stabilised,” Hariza added.
Main image: New Straits Times
