AN opposition MP has asked if PAS, which has been adamant about taking to the streets to protest international concerts on a nationwide scale, will do the same over the rising prices of bread and bakery products.
This comes after major bread producer Gardenia announced that it will increase the prices of its loaves, spreads and other products beginning next month onwards, the second time it has done so in less than a year.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said the increase in the price of staple food such as bread is a problem that affects all levels of society, which is already affected by the increase in prices of other goods in the market.
On the other hand, attending a concert is a personal choice, the Kuala Lumpur DAP secretary noted in a statement today.
“However, this matter is not seen as something important for PAS to fight for,” Lim said. “On the contrary, PAS cares more about trivial issues like music from western countries.”
The “concert saga” started two weeks ago on Aug 19 after PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shari warned organisers of concerts in Malaysia not to “challenge the emotions of Muslims”, barely one day after American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish’s concert in Kuala Lumpur.
He has since been urged to respect the rights of non-Muslims and non-Malays and not “hype up” regressive, racial issues to “score political brownie points”, with criticism coming from both the opposition and Government parties.
“Many other problems to solve”
The time has come for PAS leaders to stop “using” religion to fight for something that is “useless and does not benefit many people”, Lim urged.
He said there were many other problems in the country that needed to be addressed, such as corruption and inflation.
“PAS is now the Government that rules the country but the party only knows how to focus on useless things,” Lim alleged. “So, it is clear that PAS is a useless party and in the end, more people will live in hardship under its leadership.”
He further claimed that PAS has not introduced a “single good step or policy” for the country since they colluded with the “corrupt UMNO” to seize power from the Pakatan Harapan Government in 2020.
Beginning Sept 1 (Thursday), Gardenia Original Classic 400g will cost RM3 (up 20 sen), Original Classic Jumbo 600g, RM4.30 (up 30 sen) and Breakthru Wholewheat 400g, RM4 (up 40 sen).
According to news reports, the price of Gardenia’s vanilla, butter sugar and salted caramel cream rolls will also go up by 10 sen to RM1.10 each, while the Toast ‘Em bread series will be hiked up by 50 sen to RM5.50.
Based on a viral letter by Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn Bhd CEO Koh Chin Huat to retailers listing all 53 products affected – and confirmed by Gardenia on Facebook – the price hike was necessary due to the increasing costs of raw materials like flour and vegetable fat.
Gardenia last hiked the prices of its goods last December. – Aug 29, 2022
Main pic credit: The Star
