NETIZENS took to social media to vent out against Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi for not having a solution to stem rising prices of food items.
“Every single minister seems to be clueless as to what is happening in the country. They’re more worried about their political survival than anything else. Hopeless, totally hopeless,” said user Nazhan Abdullah.
Netizen Jonson Chong added: “I am surprised that not more of us are in complete despair…”
Earlier today, Alexander was seen defensive at the Dewan Rakyat when asked to quit his post, following his own promise made two weeks ago of resigning if he did not manage to curb food prices from soaring.
In the footage, he was seen mocking Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for saying that he would reduce fuel prices if he ascends the premiership.
KPDNHEP tidak tergesa-gesa mengenakan harga maksimum ke atas barangan. pic.twitter.com/WXv8M55prx
— 🇲🇾Astro AWANI🇲🇾 (@501Awani) November 30, 2021
However, Anwar then retorted with a chuckle saying: “But I didn’t not become the prime minister.”
The Kapit MP also mocked Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang for promising to relinquish his post if Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not make way for Anwar to become prime minister, which the DAP MP did not fulfil.
Later, the minister explained that the situation was complex and the Government did not want to rush into imposing price control as it would affect retailers.
“Retailers have told us that suppliers have increased their prices and they were at a loss on what to do. That’s why I’m saying it’s a complicated matter and we need a holistic plan to address it.
“Right now, we are consulting all stakeholders to remedy the situation, including agencies parked under other ministries as much of the issue is beyond my jurisdiction,” Alexander added.
Prolonged lockdown the cause?
However, netizens were not buying into the minister’s argument and took him to task for not answering the questions levelled coherently.
“A question must be answered spot on. However, he gave a convoluted answer and just kept me wander on a magical trip to nowhere,” said user Ayden Muhammad.
Netizen Luqman opined that the problem was caused by prolonged lockdown, which had caused disruption to the supply chain and made many companies go bust.
“Rasanya sebab gangguan rantaian antara pembekal akibat pkp berpanjangan. Ada banyak kilang yang kena bungkus atau tak dapat operasi masa pkp. Harga ayam naik pun sebab kos makanan ayam naik jugak. Saya bela burung pun terasa.”
(I think it was because of the disruption to the supply chain due to prolonged lockdown. Many factories went bankrupt or could not operate during the movement restriction time. Chicken prices went up as it feed cost spiked.) – Nov 30, 2021.
