KUALA LUMPUR — The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry gave an assurance of adequate supply of onions during the upcoming Deepavali festive season.
The ministry’s Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur director Ariffin Samsudin said the supply is unaffected despite major exporter India having faced severe floods recently.
He also said that the prices of the product have been set in accordance with the current market price by taking into account all factors.
“As a means of preventing a break in supply or rise in the prices, we held a meeting last Wednesday (Oct 16) with the major wholesalers in the Kuala Lumpur area. As an alternative, the wholesalers will also import onions from China and Pakistan to ensure adequate supply,” he told reporters yesterday after Deepavali festive season maximum price scheme walkabout at the Lulu Hypermarket in Taman Shamelin, Cheras.
Under the Deepavali festive season maximum price scheme, the Indian small red onions are set at RM6 per kg (wholesale) and RM7 per kg (retail) while the large onions are priced at RM4 per kg (wholesale) and RM5 per kg (retail).
Ariffin said no enforcement action has been taken so far because the markets and supermarkets have adhered to the guidelines on prices of goods.
The Deepavali festive price control scheme involves 19 items, compared to 16 items last year.
Three new items have been added to this year’s list namely round cabbage imported from China and Indonesia excluding Beijing cabbage, ladies finger and dried chillies. The scheme would be in force for 14 days from Oct 20 to Nov 2.
The selling of goods above the controlled price carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both or a fine of up to RM50,000 for individuals.
In KOTA KINABALU, the ministry’s Sabah director Georgie Abas, speaking to reporters after launching the state-level price control scheme, said items not on the list for the state were ladies fingers and mutton with bones.
In Sabah, consumers can lodge complaints on non-compliance to the respective district operations room as follows:
Kota Kinabalu (088-484368); Sandakan (089-668107);
Tawau (089776690); Tuaran (088-787822);
Kudat (088-615311); Keningau (087-338400);
Lahad Datu (089-886090);
Semporna (089-782866); and Beaufort (087-222240).
In IPOH, the Perak state executive councillor in charge A. Sivanesan, speaking to reporters after making a walkabout at the Buntong Market, said thus far there had been no complaints on non-compliance.
— BERNAMA
