Tuesday, April 29, 2008
BH : Isu kenaikan harga barang terus belenggu rakyat
29-4-2008
BAGI masyarakat pengguna negara ini, tiada yang lebih memeningkan kepala daripada terus menanggung beban kenaikan harga barang. Mungkin bertepatan juga dengan keputusan kerajaan untuk tidak memenuhi tuntutan Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) supaya kakitangan awam diberikan honorarium RM2,000.Pemberian honorarium ini sudah pasti akan memberikan lampu hijau kepada peniaga mencari helah menaikkan lagi harga barang dan perkhidmatan.
Ketika ini beras menjadi isu paling hangat diperkatakan, semuanya gara-gara kenaikan harga beras di pasaran dunia. Krisis beras semakin meruncing apabila beberapa negara pengeluar utama beras dunia seperti China, Mesir, Vietnam dan India bertindak mengehadkan eksport beras untuk memastikan mereka mampu menyediakan makanan itu untuk rakyat mereka sendiri.
Harga beras di negara ini pula dilaporkan meningkat 10 hingga 20 peratus sejak kebelakangan ini. Namun setakat ini belum lagi berlaku pembelian cemas beras di kalangan masyarakat pengguna negara ini. Mungkin masyarakat pengguna negara ini yakin dengan jaminan kementerian terbabit dengan komoditi ini yang berkali-kali menyatakan bahawa stok beras negara adalah mencukupi.
Malaysia dilaporkan mengimport 700,000 hingga 800,000 tan beras setahun sebagai tambahan kepada 1.1 juta tan yang dihasilkan. Negara utama untuk import beras Malaysia sudah semestinya Thailand (50 hingga 60 peratus), manakala bakinya daripada China, Vietnam, Myanmar, India dan Pakistan.
Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) membuat rumusan ini hasil penyelidikan dan pemantauan harga barang harian, sebahagian besarnya barang makanan di beberapa bandar dan pekan di negara ini.
Lonjakan harga minyak mentah (AS$120 atau RM376 setong dicatat pada 23 April lalu) di pasaran dunia serta kenaikan kadar tol menyebabkan kenaikan hampir semua barang.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Fomca, Muhammad Sha�ani Abdullah, dilaporkan berkata kenaikan harga barang keperluan dan perkhidmatan sejak dua tahun lalu begitu membebankan pengguna negara ini. Golongan berpendapatan rendah dan pertengahan paling teruk terjejas sehingga mereka berasa tidak yakin dengan masa depan untuk terus menyara kehidupan keluarga.
�Pengguna negara ini masih lagi terasa bahang kenaikan 30 sen harga minyak pada 2006 dan sekarang semakin cemas dengan kenaikan melambung harga minyak mentah di pasaran dunia. Saya pasti ramai yang berdebar-debar menunggu bila kerajaan akan mengumumkan kenaikan harga minyak,� tambahnya.
Muhammad Sha�ani yang juga Setiausaha Agung Fomca berkata, sebarang kenaikan harga minyak akan menjadi pemangkin utama untuk inflasi yang akan melonjakkan lagi harga barang keperluan harian.
�Kesan sosioekonomi sememangnya teruk seperti yang pernah kita saksikan dan alami sebelum ini. Kegiatan mengambil untung berleluasa dan pengguna menjadi mangsa eksploitasi peniaga. Peniaga dan badan korporat menggunakan kesempatan ini untuk menaikkan harga barang dan perkhidmatan. Pihak yang tidak mahu memikul beban kenaikan akan memindahkan lebihan kos kepada pihak lain, sama ada pembekal atau peruncit dan mangsanya adalah pengguna,� jelasnya.
Beliau mengakui, ada peniaga dengan sewenang-wenangnya menaikkan harga barang sesuka hati. Sikap tidak bertanggungjawab ini adalah antara masalah utama yang memberi kesan negatif kepada sosioekonomi serta menyekat kemajuan.
Muhammad Sha�ani turut menyentuh peranan penting orang tengah dalam rangkaian makanan di mana mereka menentukan harga dan bekalan barang makanan yang dijual di pasaran. Orang tengah berada dalam kedudukan selesa kerana mereka menjana keuntungan besar daripada kedua-dua pihak � pengeluar dan pengguna.
Ada beberapa faktor lain yang menyumbang kepada kenaikan harga barang di negara ini, antaranya bil import makanan yang tinggi. Pada 2005, bil import makanan negara berjumlah RM17.793 bilion sedangkan bil eksport makanan hanya RM10.674 bilion, menunjukkan defisit RM7.119 bilion dalam Imbangan Dagangan Barangan Makanan (BOTFS).
�Sejak lebih seabad lampau, Malaysia semakin bergantung kepada import makanan bagi menampung permintaan yang semakin meningkat. Pasaran makanan negara ini dikuasai oleh negara seperti Amerika Syarikat, Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand dan Indonesia,� jelasnya.
Malaysia mengimport barang tenusu dari New Zealand sementara sayur-sayuran serta buah-buahan diperoleh dari Australia dan Amerika Syarikat.
Malaysia juga mengimport produk makanan laut, sebahagian besarnya dari Thailand dan Indonesia. �Ketidakupayaan Malaysia menampung pengeluaran makanan dalam negara bagi memenuhi permintaan menjadikan bil import makanan melambung dan menyebabkan kenaikan harga makanan ini,� jelas beliau.
Tabiat berbelanja boros sesetengah pengguna di negara ini, kata Muhammad Sha�ani turut merangsang kenaikan harga barang. Kemasukan barang daripada luar negara pada harga yang berpatutan mendorong pengguna untuk sakan berbelanja.
�Pengguna terutama golongan pertengahan hari ini cenderung berbelanja besar dan tidak teragak-agak menghabiskan wang membeli produk teknologi baru dan aksesori peribadi atas nama fesyen dan kesenangan. Pengguna yang berpendapatan pertengahan (RM2,000 hingga RM4,000 sebulan) juga turut membawa dimensi baru dalam pembelian barang.
�Mereka menghabiskan masa berjam-jam membeli-belah di pasar raya dan hypermarket kerana ada banyak barang makanan yang boleh diperoleh di sana. Pengguna bebas melihat, memegang dan memilih barang makanan yang tidak tahan lama dan semuanya ini ada kos tambahan yang dikenakan ke atas barang berkenaan. Ini menyumbang kepada kenaikan harga barang,� jelas Muhammad Sha�ani.
Promosi berleluasa kad kredit, pinjaman perumahan dan sewa beli oleh institusi kewangan memburukkan lagi keadaan. Sektor kewangan sebenarnya menggalakkan budaya berhutang menerusi tawaran hadiah percuma, kadar faedah yang rendah serta skim bayaran balik mudah.
�Budaya berhutang semakin menjalar dalam kehidupan masyarakat hari ini. Anak muda yang baru memasuki dunia pekerjaan turut terjebak dalam sindrom berhutang dengan pinjaman kereta, rumah dan bil kad kredit,� jelasnya.
Tambah beliau, gaya hidup �miliki dulu, bayar kemudian� ini akan hanya mengheret pengguna ke dalam perangkap hutang dan mereka akhirnya akan menjadi muflis. Dalam keadaan kos sara hidup semakin meningkat, kebanyakan bank semakin ligat mempromosikan pinjaman dan kad kredit mereka.
�Tanpa disedari pengguna, hutang mereka mula bertimbun sehinggakan ada yang terpaksa mengambil pinjaman peribadi semata-mata mahu melangsaikan hutang kad kredit,� keluhnya. � Bernama
Bernama: Consumers Share Blame For Price Hikes
| April 29, 2008 09:48 AM |
Consumers Share Blame For Price Hikes
KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- For Malaysians, nothing is more worrying than the escalation in price for consumer goods and services.
Maybe the government's decision not to award the RM2,000 honorarium for civil servants, as demanded by Cuepacs, was right after all. If given, the honorarium would give the 'green light' for unscrupulous traders to jack up the prices of goods and services.
RICE ISSUE
At the moment, Malaysian consumers are feeling uneasy over the global price increase of rice due to the shortage of the commodity, an issue that they consider as 'hot'.
The shortage was the result of the world's major rice producers like China, Egypt, Vietnam and India limiting their export of the commodity to ensure sufficient supply for their own consumption.
Locally, the price of rice was recently reported to have jumped between 10 and 20 percent.
However this had yet to cause panic buying among consumers. Maybe they are confident with the repeated assurance offered by the authorities that the nation's rice stocks are in adequate supply.
Malaysia imports between 700,000 and 800,000 tonnes a year apart from the 1.1 tonnes that it produces annually.
Thailand is the major exporter of rice to Malaysia at between 50 and 60 percent annually. The remaining rice imports are from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, India and Pakistan.
FOMCA's CHECKS
The spiralling price of rice appears to be non-ending.
That was the conclusion by the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA), based on its own research and price surveillance on food items, in various cities and towns nationwide.
Escalating oil prices, reported at US$120 (RM376) per barrel as of last April 23, has led to the price increase of almost all consumer goods.
As FOMCA's chief executive officer, Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah told Bernama here recently, the price hike of essential goods and services over the last two years had been a major concern for consumers.
He said the middle and lower income groups have been bearing the brunt of the price increase's onslaught. Many are feeling insecure over the future situation and they are highly concerned on how to sustain their families and livelihood.
"Our consumers are still reeling and adjusting to the 30 sen fuel hike in 2006 and many are bracing for a national fuel price increase in the near future," he said.
According to Muhammad Sha'ani, who is also FOMCA's secretary-general, the fuel price hike would act as a primary catalyst for inflation, spawning further increases of daily essentials.
"The socio-economic repercussions are severe, as we have witnessed and experienced before. Profiteering is rampant as unscrupulous traders continue to exploit consumers.
"Traders and corporate bodies are using this as a golden excuse to raise the prices of their products and services. Those who are not willing to share the burden of this increase will pass the extra cost to others, be it suppliers or retailers and eventually to consumers," he explained.
PROFITEERING
According to Muhammad Sha'ani, whenever the price of any major commodity like fuel, toll, electricity and water, rises, the imminent aftermath will be a price hike in all consumer goods and services.
"Although some price increases are justified as a result of direct impact such as transportation due to fuel hike, most price hikes are mere profiteering by traders.
"Those unscrupulous traders are taking the opportunity to raise prices to their liking.
"Such blatant unethical trading is one of the major problems impacting our socio-economy and is impeding to our progress," said Muhammad Sha'ani.
He also commented the fact that middlemen play a crucial role in the food chain as they determine the price and supply of food products that are available in the market today.
"Middlemen are always in a favourable and profitable position as they tend to generate large profit margin from both parties, namely producers and consumers," he said.
He said, some of these middlemen even act as cartels and buy at a low prices from the farmers and sell the same produce/products an exorbitant prices to end users.
"Their excuse is that handling and marketing costs contribute significantly to the price increase of these food items," he said.
OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
According to Muhammad Sha'ani, there are other dominating factors that play significant roles in the price hike of daily consumables.
"In 2005, the country's food import bill was recorded at RM17.793 billion while the food export bill only amounted to RM10.674 billion, translating into a deficit of RM7.119 billion in the Balance of Trade in Food Stuff (BOTFS).
"For more than a decade, Malaysia has been relying heavily on imports to satisfy the growing demand for food. Countries such as United States, Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand and Indonesia dominate the food market share of the country," he said.
Malaysia imports dairy products from New Zealand while vegetables and fruits mainly originate from Australia and the United States.
Malaysia is also a net importer of seafood products, mainly from Thailand and Indonesia.
"The nation's inability to produce enough food to cater for the national demand continues to inflate the food import bill, which inevitably leads to the increase in food prices," he explained further.
EXCESSIVE SPENDING
The excessive spending habit of some consumers, according to Muhammad Sha'ani, also contributes to the price hike.
He said, as more foreign goods make their way into the Malaysian market at very competitive prices, modern-day consumers are spurred to spend more lavishly.
"Consumers today tend to overspend, and the large middle class society is splashing their money lavishly on new technologies and personal accessories in the name of fashion and convenience.
Middle income consumers have also brought a new dimension in purchasing food items.
"They spend a long time shopping for their groceries at supermarkets and hypermarkets, as these large retailers offer a wide range of sophisticated food products.
"The consumers are free to see, feel and pick perishable food items before purchasing them. The additional charges unavoidably contribute to the price increase of food products," explained Muhammad Sha'ani.
THE CREDIT CULTURE
The rampant promotion of credit cards, home loans and hire purchase facilities by financial institutions has worsened the situation.
Muhammad Sha'ani said the financial sector is relentlessly encouraging consumers into a life of easy credit, dragging them deeper into life-long debts, with attractive offers ranging from free gifts to low interests and easy payment schemes.
"The credit culture is fast creeping in our society. Young working adults immediately succumb to a life of debts with car loans, housing loans and credit card bills," he said.
He said the lifestyle of 'own now, pay later' is pushing people into debt traps and bankruptcy.
"While the cost of living is rising at an alarming rate, most banks are heavily promoting its loans and credit cards.
"Unwarily, consumers are piling up their debts to the point that some people even have to resort to taking up personal loans just to clear their credit card debts," he said.
-- BERNAMA
NST: Consumers share blame for price hikes
Melati Mohd Ariff, BERNAMA
For Malaysians, nothing is more worrying than the escalation of price for consumer goods and services.
RICE ISSUE
At the moment, Malaysian consumers are feeling uneasy over the global price increase of rice due to the shortage of the commodity, an issue that they consider as ’hot’.
The shortage was the result of the world’s major rice producers like China, Egypt, Vietnam and India limiting their export of the commodity to ensure sufficient supply for their own consumption.
Locally, the price of rice was recently reported to have jumped between 10 and 20 percent.
However this had yet to cause panic buying among the consumers. Maybe they are confident with the repeated assurance offered by the authorities that the nation’s rice stocks are in adequate supply.
Malaysia imports between 700,000 and 800,000 tonnes a year apart from the 1.1 tonnes that it produces annually.
Thailand is the major exporter of rice to Malaysia at between 50 and 60 percent annually. The remaining rice imports are from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, India and Pakistan.
FOMCA’s CHECKS
The spiralling rice price appears to be non-ending.
That was the conclusion by the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA), based on its own research and price surveillance on food items, in various cities and towns nationwide.
Escalating oil prices, reported at US$120 (RM376) per barrel as of last April 23, has led to the price increase of almost all consumer goods.
As FOMCA’s chief executive officer, Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah told Bernama here recently, the price hike of essential goods and services over the period of the last two years had been a major concern for consumers.
He said the middle and lower income groups have been bearing the brunt of the price increase’s onslaught. Many are feeling insecure over the future situation and they are highly concerned on how to sustain their families and livelihood.
“Our consumers are still reeling and adjusting to the 30 sen fuel hike in 2006 and many are bracing for a national fuel price increase in the near future,” he said.
According to Muhammad Sha’ani, who is also FOMCA’s secretary-general, the fuel price hike would act as a primary catalyst for inflation, spawning further increases of daily essentials.
“The socio-economic repercussions are severe, as we have witnessed and experienced before. Profiteering is rampant as unscrupulous traders continue to exploit consumers.
“Traders and corporate bodies are using this as a golden excuse to raise the prices of their products and services. Those who are not willing to share the burden of this increase will pass the extra cost to others, be it suppliers or retailers and eventually to consumers,” he explained.
PROFITEERING
According to Muhammad Sha’ani, whenever the price of any major commodity like fuel, toll, electricity and water, rises, the imminent aftermath will be a price hike in all consumer goods and services.
“Although some price increases are justified as a result of direct impact such as transportation due to fuel hike, most price hikes are mere profiteering by traders.
“Those unscrupulous traders are taking the opportunity to raise prices to their liking.
“Such blatant unethical trading is one of the major problems impacting our socio-economy and is impeding to our progress,” said Muhammad Sha’ani.
He also commented the fact that middlemen play a crucial role in the food chain as they determine the price and supply of food products that are available in the market today.
“Middlemen are always in a favourable and profitable position as they tend to generate large profit margin from both parties, namely producers and consumers,” he said.
He said, some of these middlemen even act as cartels and buy at a low prices from the farmers and sell the same produce/products an exorbitant prices to end users.
“Their excuse is that handling and marketing costs contribute significantly to the price increase of these food items,” he said.
OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
According to Muhammad Sha’ani, there are other dominating factors that play significant roles in the price hike of daily consumables.
“In 2005, the country’s food import bill was recorded at RM17.793 billion while the food export bill only amounted to RM10.674 billion, translating into a deficit of RM7.119 billion in the Balance of Trade in Food Stuff (BOTFS).
“For more than a decade, Malaysia has been relying heavily on imports for the growing food demand. Countries such as United States, Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand and Indonesia dominate the food market share of the country,” he said.
Malaysia imports dairy products from New Zealand while vegetables and fruits mainly originate from Australia and the United States.
Malaysia is also a net importer of seafood products, mainly from Thailand and Indonesia.
“The nation’s inability to sustain our food production to cater for national demand continues to inflate the food import bill has led to the increase in food prices,” he explained further.
EXCESSIVE SPENDING
The excessive spending habit by some consumers, according to Muhammad Sha’ani, also contributes to the price hike.
He said, as more foreign goods make their way into the Malaysian market at very competitive prices, modern-day consumers are spurred to spend more lavishly.
“Consumers today tend to overspend, and the large middle class society is splashing their money lavishly on new technologies and personal accessories in the name of fashion and convenience.
Middle income consumers have also brought a new dimension in purchasing food items.
“They spend a long time shopping for their groceries at supermarkets and hypermarkets, as these large retailers offer a wide range of sophisticated food products.
“The consumers are free to see, feel and pick perishable food items before purchasing them. The additional charges unavoidably contribute to the price increase of food products,” explained Muhammad Sha’ani.
THE CREDIT CULTURE
The rampant promotion of credit cards, home loans and hire purchase facilities by financial institutions has worsened the situation.
Muhammad Sha’ani said the financial sector is heavily encouraging consumers to a life of credit and dragging them into life-long debts with attractive offers ranging from free gifts to low interests and easy payment schemes.
“The credit culture is fast creeping in our society. Young working adults immediately succumb to a life of debts with car loans, house loans and credit card bills,” he said.
He said the lifestyle of ’own now, pay later’ is pushing people into debt traps and bankruptcy.
“While cost of living is rising at an alarming rate, most banks are heavily promoting its loans and credit cards.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
No escape from global phenomena
Saturday, April 26th, 2008
Rising food prices due to structural and fundamental changes: Centre
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, like many other countries, cannot escape from the global phenomena of rising prices of food and other products.
Director-general of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin said what was happening now were structural and fundamental changes related to production and demand.
She said Malaysia managed to keep the price level and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) low due to the subsidy given by the government and also the price control on various food items.
“But the question is how far we can maintain this…we cannot escape from this international phenomena (of rising prices),” she said at a public seminar entitled ‘Rising Prices and People’s Welfare: Current Measures and Future Steps’ by ISIS, here yesterday.
Mahani also commented on calls for the government to reduce the petrol price, on the basis that Malaysia is an exporter of oil and, as such, benefited from the high price of oil in the global market.
She said Malaysia could not be compared to other oil producing countries like Kuwait which had oil reserves for more than 100 years or Saudi Arabia which also had huge reserves to last many more years.
On the other side, Mahani said that Malaysia, despite its current status as an oil-exporting nation, would be a net importer of oil by 2011 and a net importer of gas by 2018.
Mahani said even many of the oil producing countries in the world were not providing price subsidy for petroleum purchased by the people.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) CEO and secretary general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said that the government should increase spending on areas like education, housing and healthcare to help more poor and lower income people due to rising prices of many goods and services.
He said the people could not understand why university educa-tion was so costly in this country.
According to Muhammad Sha’ani the government should also review the concession agreement with toll operators because the people felt that the current toll charges were too high and ‘eating into their pocket’.
He said the government should also convince the people that figures being released like the CPI figures were truly reflective of the market.
On food security, he said focus should also be given on helping small farmers to produce more, adding that despite the government’s calls for more private sector investment in the agriculture sector to increase food production, not much progress had been achieved so far as companies were more interested in areas like palm oil plantation.
— Bernama
Friday, April 25, 2008
OANA: MALAYSIA CANNOT ESCAPE FROM THE GLOBAL PHENOMENA
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, like many other countries,
cannot escape from the global phenomena of rising prices of food and other
products.
Director-General of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies
(ISIS) Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin said that what was happening now were structural
and fundamental changes related to production and demand.
She said Malaysia managed to keep the price level and the Consumer Price
Index (CPI) low due to the subsidy given by the government and also the price
control on various food items.
"But the question is how far we can maintain this...we cannot escape from
this international phenomena (of rising prices)," she said at a public seminar
entitled "Rising Prices and People's Welfare:Current Measures and Future Steps"
by ISIS, here Friday.
Mahani also commented on calls for the government to reduce the petrol
price, on the basis that Malaysia is an exporter of oil and, as such, benefited
from the high price of oil in the global market.
She said Malaysia could not be compared to other oil producing countries
like Kuwait which had oil reserves for more than 100 years or Saudi Arabia
which also had huge reserves to last many more years.
On the other side, Mahani said that Malaysia, despite its current status as
an oil-exporting nation, would be a net importer of oil by 2011 and a net
importer of gas by 2018.
Mahani said even many of the oil producing countries in the world were not
providing price subsidy for petroleum purchased by the people.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) CEO and
secretary general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said that the government should
increase spending on areas like education, housing and healthcare to help more
poor and lower income people due to rising prices of many goods and services.
He said the people could not understand why university education was so
costly in this country.
According to Muhammad Sha'ani the government should also review the
concession agreement with toll operators because the people felt that the
current toll charges were too high and `eating into their pocket'.
He said the government should also convince the people that figures being
released like the CPI figures were truly reflective of the market.
On food security, he said focus should also be given on helping small
farmers to produce more, adding that despite the government's calls for more
private sector investment in the agriculture sector to increase food
production, not much progress had been achieved so far as companies were more
interested in areas like palm oil plantation.
-- BERNAMA
The Malay Mali: Rice price watch needed
| THE price of rice in Thailand, which reached a record high of above US$1,000 (RM3,073) a tonne yesterday, is expected to have a huge impact on the global market. |
The Malay Mail spoke with various consumer groups yesterday about the effects on the Malay sian market.
Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam president, Datuk Dr Jacob George, said currently there is panic-buying by consumers and hoarding by wholesalers.
He said wholesalers are blaming it on the escalating price in major rice-exporting countries like Thai land and Vietnam.
“People are buying more as they have fallen prey to this propaganda,” said Dr Jacob.
According to Dr Jacob, there is a need for the government to take stern action to prevent hoarding and to discourage consumers from buying more than they need.
“Perhaps there can be a way to control purchases. The govern ment must reinforce and reassure consumers there is no shortage,” he said.
Dr Jacob said third parties are manipulating the prices. The government’s silence is encouraging these people to take charge and increase prices as they like.
“The government should not allow price manipulation and action should be taken against hoarders,” said Dr Jacob.
He also said there should be independent verification of prices stated by wholesalers and retailers.
“We are aware there is a global price increase, but in Malaysia, there is artificial increase because there is no proper monitoring.
“Power should not be given wholly to retailers as they should not be the ones to decide,” he said, adding figures should be tabulated to obtain fair price.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association chief executive officer, Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, said authorities should monitor the situation to ensure price increases are justified.
“We received numerous com plaints from consumers as well as retailers. But we do not expect retailers to incur losses. We need to make sure the increase is justified to protect consumers,” said Muhammad Sha’ani.
Muslim Consumers Association project director, Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, said long-term planning was essential so that Malay sia will be prepared if these sud den prices increases occur again.
“It started with sugar, flour and cooking oil. Now its rice. Uncontrolled price increase is an uncomfortable trend for consumers,” said Noor Nirwandy.
He said this was a setback for Malaysia’s Price Council which was set up to monitor and control price increases.
“I think we should look at the whole situation from a broader perspective. There should not be a monopoly for imported rice. There must also be long-term planning for self-sustenance and we can’t be too dependent on importers,” said Noor Nirwandy.
He said consumers are already burdened and now they would also have to deal with increased price of rice.
“Its one thing after another. So, what’s next? We can’t let a certain group or sector to continue pushing the price higher.
“Something needs to be done, and quickly. The authorities must take action,” he added.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Fomca gesa akta lapuk dikaji semula
Oleh Azman Mahmood
Kerajaan perlu ambil langkah proaktif kawal harga
KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan digesa membentuk satu mekanisme jangka panjang berkaitan kawalan harga barangan untuk membantu rakyat berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana menikmati keselesaan hidup lebih baik.
Sehubungan itu, Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) juga mahu kerajaan mengkaji semula akta dan peraturan lapuk seperti Akta Kawalan Barangan, Akta Kawalan Harga serta akta lain yang berkaitan, bagi melindungi hak pengguna.
Setiausaha Agungnya, Mohammad Sha'ani Abdullah, berkata kerajaan juga perlu mengambil langkah proaktif melaksanakan revolusi meningkatkan pengeluaran barangan yang menjadi keutamaan kegunaan rakyat sebagai langkah mengekang kenaikan harga dalam pasaran tempatan.
Katanya, menerusi cara itu, ia boleh membantu mengurangkan kenaikan harga dan akan memberi keselesaan hidup kepada rakyat.
"Kita harap akan ada usaha meningkatkan pengeluaran bekalan makanan dan barangan dalam negara.
"Kalau boleh sehingga negara boleh eksport bukan bergantung kepada bekalan import seperti beras, 35 peratus adalah dibawa masuk dari negara asing," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, semalam.
Beliau diminta mengulas kenyataan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Shahrir Samad kelmarin bahawa kerajaan sedang mengkaji untuk menambah senarai barangan kawalan dan menyeragamkan harganya di Semenanjung, Sabah dan Sarawak.
Langkah itu bertujuan mengurangkan beban pengguna serta menangani kesan kenaikan harga bahan makanan dunia.
Cadangan itu adalah antara langkah yang akan dilaksanakan menerusi Dasar Jaminan Makanan Negara.
Ketika ini kerajaan mengawal harga 11 barangan keperluan termasuk petrol, diesel, gas petroleum cecair (LPG), tepung gandum, gula, susu pekat manis, ayam dan minyak masak, tetapi harga runcit barangan berkenaan di Semenanjung berbeza dengan di Sabah dan Sarawak.
Mohammad Sha'ani berkata, Fomca mengalu-alukan langkah kerajaan mahu menambah senarai barangan kawalan dan menyeragamkan harganya di Semenanjung, Sabah dan Sarawak.
Katanya, langkah itu dilihat sebagai memberi perlindungan kepada pengguna dari segi kenaikan harga barang makanan dan bukan makanan yang tidak menentu.
Beliau berkata, Fomca juga mencadangkan agar bahan bukan makanan seperti simen dan besi turut dimasukkan dalam senarai barang kawalan.
Katanya, kenaikan kedua-dua barang berkenaan sejak kebelakangan ini amat tinggi sehingga memberi kesan kepada industri perumahan sekali gus menekan golongan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana untuk memiliki rumah sendiri.
"Tetapi, langkah itu (menambah senarai barangan kawalan) membuktikan usaha kerajaan untuk memberi keselesaan hidup kepada rakyat," katanya.
"Ia kerana sejak akhir-akhir ini berlaku fenomena kenaikan harga pelbagai barangan makanan dan bukan makanan," katanya.
Bagaimanapun, katanya menambah senarai barangan kawalan untuk mengekang kenaikan harga bukan penyelesaian untuk jangka panjang.
"Sebab itu, kerajaan perlu merangka satu mekanisma untuk jangka panjang bagi memastikan kenaikan harga barangan dapat dikekang.
"Pelaksanaan Dasar Makanan Negara juga adalah satu langkah bijak kerajaan menangani krisis makanan yang turut melanda dunia sekarang," katanya.
"Dasar itu sebenarnya antara gagasan yang sudah lama Fomca cadangkan kepada kerajaan agar tidak terlalu bergantung kepada bekalan import termasuk bahan makanan dan beras," katanya.
Katanya, Fomca juga berharap kerajaan mengkaji semula harga simen yang berbeza antara negeri.
"Harga simen sepatutnya murah kerana ketika ini hampir semua negeri ada kilang simen, tetapi harga bahan itu di Kedah dan Perak lebih murah berbanding Pahang dan Negeri Sembilan yang juga mempunyai kilang pengeluar simen," katanya.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Price of rice on the rise
The Star online
Sunday April 13, 2008
By JOSEPH LOH and RASHVINJEET S.BEDI
When news of our staple, which is rice, makes headlines globally, we need to examine our own backyard to see what needs to be done to increase productivity and ensure sufficiency.
BOILED potatoes with sambal ikan bilis anyone? Malaysians might have to turn to other sources of carbohydrate like potatoes or bread to accompany their favourite sambal ikan bilis, instead of the usual fragrant nasi lemak in the near future, if the supply of rice comes under further threat.
As seen in the media in the last fortnight, there have been increasing reports of shortages, soaring prices and countries halting exports of rice, the staple food of all Malaysians, along with the rest of Asia.
Although the Government has given its reassurance that Malaysia's supply is adequate to meet the country's needs, the fear is not abated by news that the Government was considering an increase in the two-week rice stockpile managed by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) to a three-month one. Then there was the speculation about possible price hikes for the staple food.
Experts may say that it is just unnecessary panic on the public's part but as a baju kurung boutique owner in Putrajaya called Dayang points out, the price of rice has been going up since last year.
“And as soon as the news broke about the rice problems overseas and possible price increases, some sundry stores and mini markets as well as restaurants have used that as an excuse to hike up their prices.”
Sufficient supply
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was quick to issue a statement that local rice prices will not be increased to reassure the public. Similarly the statement by the Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamad that Bernas' stockpile of about 92,000 tonnes for every 15 days at its warehouses nationwide was sufficient to cater for the nation's needs.
»There should be a production increase in response to higher prices as it would be viewed as profitable. The current world shortage will continue for some time« DR YEAH KIM LENG Dr Yeah Kim Leng, the chief economist at the Ratings Agency of Malaysia (RAM) opines that it is important that the Government ensures that the supply of rice nationwide is uninterrupted.
“The public must be assured (there is adequate stock) so that they don't go into panic buying or hoarding,” he says.
To mitigate the effects of the sharp escalation in prices, the government might have to fork out a higher subsidy, states Yeah, although it is relatively low currently.
“The subsidy is not that large in comparison to the fuel subsidy (which runs into almost RM25-30bil a year) and will not have a major impact on the government's fiscal balance.
According to the Information Department, the rice subsidy for local consumption increased from RM800mil in 2006 to RM900mil last year.
However, it should be noted that the subsidy only applies to the lowest grade of local rice – Super Tempatan 15 (with 15% content of broken grains), which is coincidentally price-controlled at RM1.75per kg (in Selangor).
The other types of rice are not subsidised.
Hence, the current subsidy structure – which is solely for this one grade of rice – does not benefit the majority of Malaysians.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin is one who believes that the subsidy is inadequate.
“It is a joke,” he states.
Ameer points out that the current ceiling price of RM1.75 per kg has existed for many years. However, he reveals that the cost price was RM1.55 two years ago and rose to RM1.65 last year.
“Now it is RM1.70, and we are selling at RM1.75, which is the controlled price. The ceiling price has not risen, but the market price has gone up,” he says.
Another point is that this particular grade of rice is of such low quality that consumers do not buy it as they tend to go for higher-quality varieties. As a result, most retailers do not have much quantity of it for sale.
“We sell about 50 types of rice, but we only have one controlled-price item, which is our in-house brand,” he clarifies.
A check on its market floor at the Mydin hypermarket outlet in Subang Jaya, Selangor, revealed that stocks had sold out and it was not available for purchase.
Aeon companies (M) Bhd PR manager Shirly Chan, says that its chain of stores stocks the item, again only as an in-house brand. She adds, “Our best-selling rice is still imported Thai rice.”
Chan confirms that on average, prices have risen gradually by as much as 20%, and by 10% in the last week alone.
An industry source says that the subsidised rice constitutes about 20-30% of the total amount of rice consumed in the country, but did not confirm if it was predominantly served on Malaysian dinner tables or used in rice-based products.
“This cheaper variety of rice is still produced, solely to cater for the lower income group. It may be difficult to find in hypermarkets, but is usually available in rural areas or even in neighbourhood sundry shops.”
The source says that it is generally sold to retailers in 50kg sacks and consumers buy the quantity they require by weight.
However, he adds it is becoming less popular.
“Nowadays, with the increase in the standard in living, even the lower-income groups can afford higher-grade rice. But even if demand is low, it still has to be produced and made available for the public.”
Enquiries with restaurants in and around the Klang Valley reveals that the subsidised rice is not served to their customers. Declining to be named, a spokesperson for a restaurant chain says, “Our customers pay for quality and we only use the best-quality rice.”
Another restaurant proprietor discloses that it is inconceivable for them to use the subsidised rice.
“It is of too low quality to be served. If we serve it, the customers will think that we are cheating them.”
Even affordable eateries like mamak restaurants do not use the subsidised rice.
Syed Mohammed Buhari, the owner of the Fatimah Food Corner chain of restaurants, says that he does not use low-grade rice.
“The prices of our food is low, and we use at least a medium-grade rice. The low-grade rice is not nice to eat and cannot be served.”
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar owner Buruhan Mohamed says his restaurants use basmati and Super Panjang varieties only.
“We use first-grade rice, with no broken grains. The quality is good, and we have used this type of rice for a long time.”
Both Syed and Buruhan acknowledge that prices of rice have gone up, and they are paying from RM85 to RM90 for 50kgs, up from about RM80 a year before.
Ameer says the real issue is that the rice that is consumed by most consumers – which is unsubsidised – has markedly gone up in price because there are no price controls.
While he is not an advocate of price controls, he is concerned because prices have gone up by about 15% over the past two years (see graphic).
“This is happening because there is a monopoly for rice imports in Malaysia. Only Bernas can import rice, and they dictate the price.
“Additionally, it decides where the rice goes, and it primarily gives it to its subsidiaries,” he claims.
Ameer: ‘The real issue is that the rice consumed by most consumers – which is unsubsidised – has gone up in price because there are no price controls’ No real shortage
Ameer believes that there is no real shortage of rice in the country. Although the threat of it is there, it has not reached a critical stage yet. But with news of increasing prices, people tend to overstock and this creates an artificial shortage.
“Non-Bernas subsidiaries who have tried to keep the price low have no supply, and when there is an artificial shortage, they are not going to get it.”
Ameer offers a few solutions to resolve the possible crisis.
“Remove the monopoly on rice imports. As business people, we will compete and sell it as low as possible. Let market forces decide the price. If the monopoly is removed and others are allowed to import, it will go down by about two or three ringgit.”
He also believes that the powers-that-be should meet with non-Bernas subsidiaries to obtain a more realistic view.
“Listen to their views. They know the actual situation better,” he states.
He also advocates that the government should come up with and subsidise a generic brand of higher-quality rice.
“It can be a 5% or 10% Super Tempatan variety, so those who cannot afford the more expensive brands can buy this at an affordable price.
“Some people may be brand-conscious and buy other types, but at the moment consumers do not have an alternative,” he opines.
Yeah believes that a key challenge will be to maintain the price of the common-grade rice. He adds that since rice prices are going up, it would be profitable for farmers to venture into planting paddy.
“There should be a production increase in response to higher prices as it would be viewed as profitable. The current world shortage will continue for some time,” says Yeah, adding that the profits made by local farmers would remain in the country.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) President S.M. Mohamed Idris agrees that although for the moment “we will be able to import the rice that we need, in the long term, local rice production must be increased.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah strongly believes that Malaysia should concentrate on food security.
“We cannot be dependent on exporting countries for our rice needs. They will give their citizens priority,” he says.
Sha'ani adds that the government should reintroduce the Rancangan Buku Hijau, a campaign that was initiated by the second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, encouraging the public to carry out backyard farming, hydroponics planting and organic farming.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Thursday proposed a national policy on food security to address the issue of rising prices and shortages that have caused havoc across Asia.
“We need to have a national policy on food security. We must have a mechanism to ensure that there are enough food supplies for people,” Abdullah was quoted.
And how can consumers play their part?
“It will be difficult to ask consumers to eat less rice. However, consumers can cut down on wastage by cooking that which is needed and making use of leftovers.
“It is also a common trend for people to indulge in buffet meals and most of the time food is wasted. People should eat what they need and not be greedy. In many countries, a charge is imposed on people who waste food in hotels or restaurants,” says Idris.Friday, April 11, 2008
Shahrir: Noodles not a controlled item
Friday April 11, 2008
PETALING JAYA: The Government cannot do much about the increase in the price of noodles as it is not a controlled item, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad.
He, however, hoped that noodle manufacturers would keep it as low as possible.
“There is nothing much we can do as it is due to the increase in the cost of raw materials. Consumers will have to adjust to the new prices. It is up to them to judge how they want to spend their money,” he told The Star.
On the proposal by the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) to increase the number of import permits for raw materials needed to make noodles, Shahrir said the import of wheat flour was not restricted.
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“I think there is no special permit needed to import flour. And I don't think importing noodles will be cheaper than those made locally,” he said.
Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Shaani Abdullah urged the Government to increase the issuance of import permits to raise the number of raw material suppliers in the country.
The prices of wheat-based noodle items went up by 20 to 70 sen a kilo from yesterday following the decision by the Flour Millers Association Malaysia to raise the prices of high and medium protein noodles on March 20 as a result of high world wheat prices.
Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris said hawkers should charge their consumers proportionately.
A check by The Star at various food outlets here revealed that operators were not increasing their prices.
“We won't increase the price of our food.” That is the unanimous response from most stall and restaurant owners.
A supervisor of Subang Jaya Pelita Nasi Kandar said that they could not simply raise prices.
消聯呈備忘錄給貿消部‧要求公開私營化合約
消聯呈備忘錄給貿消部‧要求公開私營化合約
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大馬消費人聯合會總秘書莫哈末沙亞尼（右）代表29組織移交備忘錄給沙里爾後，接受記者的訪問。（圖：星洲日報）
（布城）為了抑制通貨膨脹，大馬消費人聯合會（FOMCA）向國內貿易及消費部提出數項建議，包括檢討公共設施的私營化合約以及公開合約內容。
該聯合會認為，公共設施私營化計劃的價格有上升趨勢，如水供在數個州屬私營化後，水費已上漲，加重消費人的生活負擔。
該聯合會週四（4月10日）代表國內29個消費人非政府組織，訪問貿消部長拿督沙里爾，以及提呈備忘錄給沙里爾後，受《星洲日報》訪問時這麼表示。該聯合會總秘書莫哈末沙亞尼代表29組織移交備忘錄給沙里爾。
該會在備忘錄中提到，目前百貨漲價已引起消費人的不安，導致貨品價格上漲的主要原因是汽油和大道過路費漲價。
該會認為，私營化計劃已日益加重消費人的生活負擔，這也造成惡性循環。
須檢討私營化條件
該會建議政府檢討私營化的條件和對外公開合約內容，以便消費人知道他們付給什麼以及消費人不需承擔沉重擔子。
此外，該會也建議貿消部減少汽油津貼，以轉移津貼必須品，減輕低收入群的經濟負擔。
“政府提供的汽油津貼佔了國家總津貼的50%，但汽油津貼遭到一些人士濫用，如黑市交易、走私汽油、價格被扭曲，以及沒有有效分配資源等。”
該會也建議政府成立全國價格委員會，以監管物品價格、提供更多社會經濟方面的撥款、重新研究消費人價格指數、發展荒廢土地、著重生產農業和確保食品供應充足等。
另一方面，沙里爾受詢時表示，他對聯合會提出建議表示歡迎，一切建議尚在部門討論之中。
他表示，他將與部門相關官員仔細研究有關建議後，才把有建設性的建議帶上抗通膨會議中討論。
《Fitna》短片屬個人行為‧消聯不抵制荷蘭貨
《Fitna》短片屬個人行為‧消聯不抵制荷蘭貨
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大馬消費人協會聯合會訪問星洲日報，並邀請星洲日報成為“2008年大馬消費人日”的媒體夥伴。前排左起為莫哈末尤索夫、慕哈末沙尼、陳禮蘋及劉崑升。後排左起為游曉蓮及劉秀慧。（圖：星洲日報）
（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）馬來西亞消費人聯合會（FOMCA）執行長慕哈末沙尼說，該會不號召消費人抵制荷蘭產品，因為有關反回教短片只是個人行為，不應牽涉該國產品。
他認為，反回教短片《Fitna》只是荷蘭極右翼國會議員維爾德斯（Geert Wilders）自己製作的短片，雖然此事件已引起國際回教社會的憤怒，但如果因為個人行為而抵制整個國家，是有欠公平的。
他週四（10日）聯同該會宣傳部主任莫哈末尤索夫、宣傳與資源分配部經理劉秀慧及節目策劃游曉蓮拜訪星洲日報，並與公共聯系經理劉崑升及助理採訪主任陳禮蘋交流時表示，該會也不號召消費者杯葛荷蘭產品，交由消費者自行決定是否要購買荷蘭產品。
首相署部長拿督阿末扎希也呼吁民眾杯葛荷蘭商品。
生活開銷高漲
力爭最低薪金千五
慕哈末沙尼說，該會將繼續向政府爭取落實1500令吉最低薪金制。
他說，目前各領域的最低薪金難以應付日常生活開銷，因此該會設定1500令吉的最低薪金制，讓員工可以應對日愈高漲的生活開銷。
他說，雖然政府不斷強調通貨膨脹率受到控制，但人民已經感受到物價不斷上漲的壓力，他認為或許與國家銀行計算通膨的方程式有關。
消費人投訴中心
去年接逾萬個案
慕哈末沙尼說，該會已經成立“國家消費人投訴中心”（NCCC），專司處理所有消費人對商品及服務的投訴個案，並直接向商家或服務提供者聯絡尋求解決方案。
他說，該中心去年處理了1萬8345宗案例，大多數是與電訊與多媒體服務有關，例如寬頻服務、衛星電視台節目與服務等。
“一般上，民眾比較不習慣與政府部門接觸，但很樂意與非政府組織聯系。去年超過1萬名消費者向NCCC提出投訴。”
“國家消費人投訴中心”的熱線號碼是03-78779000（週一至週五，早上9時到下午6時）。該會鼓勵民眾以電郵方式提呈投訴案例，電郵地址nccc@nccc.org.my。網址http://www.nccc.org.my。
關注食物生產原料成本
管控物價應源頭著手
慕哈末沙尼說，政府應關注食物的生產成本與原料來源，嘗試控制成本或原料的價格，而不是將所有物品都列為價格統制品。
“政府不可能永遠管控物價，卻可以管控供應線及生產與原料成本，但一些重要的民生用品，如白米、面粉等價格必須受管制。”
他說，政府也應有危機意識，儲備糧食以應付特殊情況，如天災或戰爭時所出現的糧食荒挑戰。
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Menyekat manipulasi harga
KOSMO : RENCANA UTAMA 10 April 2008
Harga barangan terkawal harus terus dipantau dengan tindakan yang lebih progresif seperti membuka pasaran untuk lebih ramai pengimport.
MASYARAKAT pengguna negara ini sudah tentunya menarik nafas lega apabila Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna yang baru, Datuk Shahrir Samad berkata, kerajaan boleh mengatasi masalah kekurangan bekalan dan kenaikan harga barangan menerusi langkah mengimport barangan berkenaan.
Kaedah tersebut juga dikatakan boleh menghentikan manipulasi oleh peniaga dan pengeluar barangan tempatan yang selama ini mempunyai kuasa bagi menentukan kuantiti dan harga barangan bagi pasaran dalam negara.
Kalau hendak diikutkan, para pengguna negara ini sudah terlalu lama menjadi mangsa sikap segelintir peniaga yang rakus menaikkan harga barangan terutama menjelang musim perayaan. Pengguna sememangnya ternanti-nanti tindakan tegas kerajaan untuk membendung sikap yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu.
"Kerajaan bertanggungjawab memastikan keselesaan hidup yang baik untuk semua rakyat Malaysia. Golongan berpendapatan rendah mesti diberi bantuan supaya mereka boleh menghadapi beban kos sara hidup yang semakin meningkat.
"Harga barangan terkawal harus terus dipantau dengan tindakan yang lebih progresif seperti membuka pasaran untuk lebih ramai pengimport," kata Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, Ketua Eksekutif merangkap Setiausaha Agung, Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA).
Beliau berkata demikian sebagai mengulas kenyataan Shahrir mengenai kemungkinan langkah yang boleh diambil kerajaan bagi menghentikan manipulasi harga barangan serta menjamin bekalan dan harga barangan yang lebih berpatutan.
Menurut Muhammad Sha'ani, sistem kawalan harga tidak kemas yang tidak mengambil kira kos pengeluaran atau pengimportan atau pun kos melepas seperti berlaku ke atas minyak sawit akan menjadi insentif negatif kepada pengeluar atau pengimport untuk terus membekalkan barangan yang terlibat kepada pengguna di Malaysia.
Sebagai peniaga yang bergantung kepada keuntungan untuk kemandirian (survival), peniaga tidak boleh menanggung kerugian, tambahnya.
"Jika peniaga tidak dapat satu margin keuntungan yang munasabah dari segi kos kewangan, mereka akan menaikkan harga. Jika harga barangan ini dikawal, mereka sama ada akan menghentikan pengeluaran ataupun pengimportan.
"Ada juga pengeluar seperti pengeluar besi batang keluli dan simen terpaksa menjual hasil keluaran pada harga kawalan tetapi mengenakan pelbagai caj tambahan untuk menampung kos pengeluaran yang melebihi harga kawalan," kata beliau.
Dalam keadaan tersebut, katanya, pengeluaran lesen dan permit import akan memberi manfaat dari segi tambahan bekalan untuk mengawal peningkatan harga runcit.
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Langkah itu juga, katanya akan mempengaruhi pengeluar tempatan untuk bersaing dengan berusaha lebih cekap dalam proses pengeluaran dan sistem pengedaran ke pasaran.
"Sebagai contoh bekalan gula pasir dan tepung gandum diimport oleh sebilangan kecil pengimport yang diberi lesen. Bilangan kecil ini boleh memanipulasi pasaran barangan ini dengan mudah. Juga dengan kedudukan seakan monopoli mereka tidak akan berusaha untuk mencari sumber bekalan alternatif bagi mendapatkan bekalan gula dan tepung gandum dengan harga yang lebih kompetitif," jelas beliau.
Dalam hal daging ayam pula, tambahnya, walaupun kos pengeluaran tidak bertambah pada waktu permintaan meningkat dengan alasan permintaan yang tinggi, pengeluar masih menuntut harga lebih.
"Keadaan seperti ini perlu dipantau dengan langkah awalan harus disediakan supaya pengimportan bermusim dilaksanakan untuk mengawal tekanan pasaran sewaktu musim perayaan yang akan menyebabkan harga meningkat," tambahnya.
Menurut Muhammad Sha'ani, pembekal dapat memanipulasi pasaran tempatan untuk kepentingan mereka kerana Malaysia adalah sebuah pasaran kecil.
"Bilangan pengimport dan pembuat yang kecil membuatkan mereka bekerja sebagai kartel untuk menguatkan kelebihan seperti pembahagian kawasan pengedaran, penetapan harga dan penetapan kuantiti bekalan," jelasnya
Beliau memberitahu, sekiranya kerajaan mengenakan kawalan harga ke atas barangan biasa (standard), pihak pembekal akan bertindak dengan tidak mengeluarkan barangan standard.
Sebaliknya, tambah beliau, pihak berkenaan akan beralih kepada rumusan yang bukan standard seperti tepung gandum dan roti diperkaya dengan vitamin untuk mengelakkan peraturan kawalan harga.
Beliau memberitahu, meskipun matlamat kawalan harga adalah untuk memberi keselesaan hidup kepada pengguna berpendapatan rendah, tindakan yang sedemikian juga menyebabkan pengeluar kurang insentif untuk mengeluarkan barangan.
"Ada ketika pembekal terus menghentikan bekalan barangan standard dan pengguna terpaksa membeli keperluan dengan harga yang lebih tinggi kerana tiada pilihan.
"Keadaan ini lebih parah di kawasan luar bandar kerana pengguna luar bandar tidak mempunyai pilihan dari segi premis jualan dan peniaga kecil luar bandar juga bergantung kepada pengedar-pengedar kecil untuk bekalan," katanya.
Muhammad Sha'ani bagaimanapun berpendapat tidak adil tindakan undang-undang dikenakan ke atas peruncit kerana penetapan harga dikawal oleh pengedar dan pemborong.
"Tindakan undang-undang yang ketat memutuskan bekalan keperluan kepada pengguna luar bandar," kata beliau.
Dalam masa yang sama, kata beliau, kawalan harga juga lebih menguntungkan pengguna berpendapatan tinggi kerana golongan itu menggunakan kuantiti yang banyak berbanding pengguna berpendapatan rendah.
"Bahan mentah yang disubsidi digunakan bagi menghasilkan barangan eksport dan ini sebenarnya memberi faedah kepada pengguna di luar negara yang membeli barangan tersebut," katanya.
Muhammad Sha'ani berpendapat sekiranya subsidi barangan keperluan mahu dikurangkan, ia mesti dibuat secara berperingkat.
Katanya, mekanisme sokongan sara hidup yang lebih menyasarkan kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah berdasarkan pendapatan per kapita perlu direncana dan dilaksanakan segera. - Bernama
Monday, April 07, 2008
NST : Rich will still benefit at the pump
2008/04/07
Rich will still benefit at the pump
By : Arman Ahmad, Shuhada Elis and Evangeline MajawatKUALA LUMPUR: Economists and consumers alike are not in favour of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Abdul Shahrir Samad's proposal to revise petrol subsidies.
One pointed out an obvious flaw: there was no law stating that owners of luxury cars cannot pump Octane 95, the heavily subsidised fuel.
Under the plan, the existing grades of petrol at the pump are to be replaced by Octane 95, which will be heavily subsidised, and Octane 99, which will be targeted at luxury car owners.
Malaysian Energy Centre consultant Ahmad Hadri said that most cars, including luxury ones, could run on Octane 95.
Instead, he suggested giving exemptions for hybrid cars which are environment-friendly.
"Hybrids run on petrol and electricity. The mileage is nearly double or triple that of a normal car."
An economist said although the new scheme presented an option to consumers, the bulk of society would choose to use Octane 95 if the price gap was too much.
"Until in-depth research is conducted on how big the substitution is, it's difficult to forecast the effects on the economy and how sustainable this system is.
"If most people, including the rich, choose Octane 95, then the burden remains with the government."
Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish pointed out the environmental impact of heavy usage of Octane 95.
"If most of us use Octane 95, then the sulphur emission would be high. Sulphur causes acid rain and pollution."
Faizal added that the problem was "subsidies encouraged wasteful utilisation".
Secretary-general and chief executive officer of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, said to maintain or realign the petrol price was not a long-term measure.
He said the government must adopt a holistic review and improve public transportation first.
"It's a small item (petrol subsidy) in the whole economy. How does it benefit the lower-income group?"
Sha'ani said although the subsidies would be high for Octane 95 and low for Octane 99, prices of other goods would increase as eventually "they will pass the cost to consumers".
Meanwhile, acting president of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia, Abdul Wahid Bidin, said the plan was the best approach as subsidies would be enjoyed by everyone equally.
Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd chief economist Zahidi Alias said the plan was one way for the government to tackle the distribution of subsidies.
"The proposal would be an improvement on the current system. The rich will not mind the higher price as they want quality over quantity."
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Penerusan subsidi petrolium bukan penyelesaian jangka panjang
Bagaimanapun kenaikan harga bahanapi akan tentu memberi kesan inflasi dan kos pengeluaran dan pengankutan yang meningkatkan harga-harga barangan yang terus memparahkan keadaan.
Pihak kerajaan seharusnya merangka mekanisme menyeluruh yang dapat menangani beban sara hidup pengguna secara berkesan.
Kenaikan harga petrolium walaupun ditujukan kepada orang kaya akan bemberi kesan kepada kenaikan barangan lain kerana kos tambahan yang ditimpa oleh orang-orang berniaga akan dikaut dengan meningkatkan harga-harga barangan dan perkhidmatan yang tawarkan.
Maka mekanisme untuk mengurangkan kos sara hidup harus menumpu kepada kos penyediaan perkhidmatan kepada umum seperti pengangkutan awam, pendidikan, kesihatan, perumahan, utiliti dan kos pengurusan peniagaan kecil serta penjaja.
Umpamanya,
- geran atau pinjaman tanpa faedah kepada pengendali pengangkutan awam untuk mengalih menggunakan bahanapi LPG dengan mengarahkan semua pembekal petrolium menyediakan pam=pam LPG di seluruh negara.
- mengawal harga bas-bas baru untuk menambahbaik perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam yang selesa di seluruh negara.
- pendidkan percuma sehingga peringkat universiti dengan peruntukan tambahan kepada semua IPA/IPS menyediakan prasarana asas.
- perkhidmatan kesihatan percuma kepada golongan berpendatan rendah berasaskan pendapatan per kapita.
- pinjaman perumahan tanpa faedah bagi rumah kos rendah dan sederhana rendah.
- mengadakan kadar penggunaan utiliti istimewa bagi golongan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana rendah berasaskan pendapatan per kapita.
- menetapkan harga telekomunikasi yang berpatutan dengan kos panggilan berdasarkan tempoh sesaat supaya kos perniagaan adalah lebih mencerminkan penggunaan sebenar.
- mengawal dan menghadkan penggunaan premis-premis perniagaan kecil dan gerai penjaja untuk tempoh tiga ke lima tahun untuk mendorong peniaga memajukan diri untuk beralih dengan membeli ataupun menyewa premis komersil dengan membolehkan bakal peniaga nerpeluang untuk menyewa gerai dan premis perniagaan kecil.
- melarang semua penyewaan semua oleh penyewa kepada pihak ketiga untuk menghindar kos tamabahan yang membebankan peniaga kecil serta menjadi kos yang meningkatkan harga barangan atau perkhidmatan yang dijual oleh peniaga kecil.
- menambahbaik sistem lalulintas khususnya di bandar-bandat besar dan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur sebagai usaha untuk mengurangkan kos pengangkutan secara keseluruhan.
- menetapkan semua bayaran letak kereta berdasarkan setiap 15 minit untuk menggalakan penggunaan tempat letak kereta dan mengurangkan kesesakan di jalan-jalan utama yang menjadi tumpuan pengguna dan peniaga.
Kerenah birokrasi usah lagi dijadikan bahan ucapan. BERTINDAK
"Kerenah birokrasi, prosedur rumit punca pinjaman dana kerajaaan gagal disalurkan"
Ucapan-ucapan yang menyalahkan dan mengenengahkan ketidakpuasan pencapaian agensi-agensi menunjukkan kelemahan dan ketidaktegasan badan-badan kawalselia bertindak membetulkan keadaan.
Pertimbangan permohonan pinjaman, kelulusan tanah pertanian, kelulusan projek perumahan, kelulusan-kelulusan yang tidak mematuhi keperluan undang-undang, kelulusan-kelulusan pembangunan yang tidak mengambilkira pendapat dan pendirian penduduk setempat, kelewatan bertindak ke atas aduan-aduan awam, ... senarai ini tiada had.
Kelemahan ini juga adalah kelemahan dalam urustadbir agensi awam yang kurang mekanisme odit tadbir dan "check and balance".
Umpamanya majlis-majlis kerajaan tempatan terdiri daripada wakil-wakil yang tidak mewakili penduduk ataupun dilantik oleh penduduk kawasan serta tanpa perlu bertanggungjawab kepada prestasi kerjanya. Tambahan pula ramai wakil-wakil yang seharusnya bertindak menjaga kepentingan pihak yang "seharusnya" diwakilinya bertindak mengambil kesempatan untuk kepentingan diri masing-masing hilang kedudkan moral untuk menegur dan menasihat sebarang kejadian salahlaku ataupun ketidakpamatuhan oleh petugas awam.
Maka perlantikan-perlantikan kepada lembaga-lembaga pengarah agensi-agensi awam dan ahli-ahli majlis kerjaan tempatan harus termasuk individu-individu berkecuali dan bebas supaya semua tindakan dan keputusan adalah adil dan saksama serta menepati dasar-dasar kerajaan.
Kita tidak boleh lagi menunggu badan seperti PEMUDAH untuk menangani semua kekurangan agensi-agensi awam di negara ini.
Masalah ini hanya dapat di atasi dengan menelan pil ubat pahit, sanggup untuk menerima kritikan dan teguran secara terbuka, supaya agensi-agensi awam tidak lagi tuduh masih bergelumang dalam karenah birokrasi.
Muhammad Sha'ani bin Abdullah
Friday, April 04, 2008
Kosmo : Menyekat manipulasi harga
KOSMO 04hb April 2008
RENCANA UTAMA
Menyekat manipulasi harga
Sejauh manakah langkah mengimport barangan dari luar negara dapat mengatasi masalah kekurangan bekalan dan kenaikan harga barang?
MASYARAKAT pengguna negara ini sudah tentunya menarik nafas lega apabila Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna yang baru, Datuk Shahrir Samad berkata, kerajaan boleh mengatasi masalah kekurangan bekalan dan kenaikan harga barangan menerusi langkah mengimport barangan berkenaan.
Kaedah tersebut juga dikatakan boleh menghentikan manipulasi para peniaga dan pengeluar barangan tempatan yang selama ini mempunyai kuasa bagi menentukan kuantiti dan harga barangan bagi pasaran dalam negara.
"Kerajaan bertanggungjawab memastikan keselesaan hidup rakyat Malaysia. Golongan berpendapatan rendah mesti diberi bantuan supaya mereka boleh menghadapi beban kos sara hidup yang semakin meningkat.
"Harga barangan terkawal harus terus dikawal selia dengan tindakan yang lebih progresif seperti membuka untuk pengimportan untuk lebih ramai pengimport," kata Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, Ketua Eksekutif/Setiausaha Agung, Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA).
Beliau berkata demikian sebagai mengulas kenyataan Shahrir mengenai kemungkinan langkah yang boleh diambil kerajaan bagi menghentikan manipulasi harga barangan serta menjamin bekalan dan harga barangan yang lebih berpatutan.
Menurut Muhammad Sha'ani, sistem kawalan harga yang tidak kemas yang tidak mengambil kira kos pengeluaran atau pengimportan ataupun kos melepas seperti berlaku ke atas minyak sawit akan menjadi insentif negatif kepada pengeluar atau pengimport untuk terus membekalkan barangan terbabit kepada pengguna di Malaysia.
Sebagai peniaga yang bergantung kepada keuntungan untuk kemandirian (survival), peniaga tidak boleh menanggung kerugian, tambahnya.
"Jika peniaga tidak dapat satu margin keuntungan yang munasabah dari segi kos kewangan, mereka akan menaikkan harga. Jika harga barangan itu dikawal, mereka sama ada akan menghentikan pengeluaran ataupun pengimportan.
"Ada juga pengeluar seperti pengeluar besi batang keluli dan simen terpaksa menjual hasil keluaran pada harga kawalan tetapi mengenakan pelbagai caj tambahan untuk menampung kos pengeluaran yang melebihi harga kawalan," kata beliau.
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| PENYELUDUPAN dari negara jiran mungkin berpunca daripada kenaikan harga barangan di Malaysia. |
Dalam keadaan tersebut katanya, pengeluaran lesen dan permit import akan memberi manfaat dari segi tambahan bekalan untuk mengawal peningkatan harga runcit.
Langkah itu juga, katanya akan mempengaruhi pengeluar tempatan untuk bersaing dengan berusaha lebih cekap dalam proses pengeluaran dan sistem pengedaran ke pasaran.
"Sebagai contoh bekalan gula pasir dan tepung gandum diimport oleh bilangan kecil pengimport yang diberi lesen import. Bilangan kecil ini boleh memanipulasi pasaran barangan ini dengan mudah.
"Juga dengan kedudukan seakan monopoli mereka tidak akan berusaha untuk mencari sumber bekalan alternatif bagi mendapatkan bekalan gula dan tepung gandum pada harga yang lebih kompetitif," jelas beliau.
"Bilangan pengimport dan pembuat yang kecil membuatkan mereka bekerja sebagai kartel untuk menguatkan kelebihan seperti pembahagian kawasan pengedaran, penetapan harga dan penetapan kuantiti bekalan," jelasnya.
Beliau memberitahu sekiranya kerajaan mengenakan kawalan harga ke atas barangan biasa (standard), pihak pembekal akan bertindak dengan tidak mengeluarkan barangan standard.
Sebaliknya, tambah beliau, pihak berkenaan akan beralih kepada rumusan yang bukan standard seperti tepung gandum dan roti diperkaya dengan vitamin untuk mengelakkan peraturan kawalan harga.
Beliau memberitahu meskipun matlamat kawalan harga adalah untuk memberi keselesaan hidup kepada pengguna berpendapatan rendah, tindakan yang sedemikian juga menyebabkan pengeluar kurang insentif untuk mengeluarkan barangan.
"Ada ketika pembekal terus menghentikan bekalan barangan standard dan pengguna terpaksa membeli keperluan dengan harga yang lebih tinggi kerana tiada pilihan.
"Keadaan ini lebih parah di kawasan luar bandar kerana pengguna luar bandar tidak mempunyai pilihan dari segi premis jualan dan peniaga kecil luar bandar juga bergantung kepada pengedar-pengedar kecil untuk bekalan," katanya.
Muhammad Shaani bagaimanapun berpendapat tidak adil tindakan undang-undang dikenakan ke atas peruncit kerana penetapan harga dikawal oleh pengedar dan pemborong.
"Tindakan undang-undang yang ketat memutuskan bekalan keperluan kepada pengguna luar bandar," kata beliau.
Tambah beliau, program bantuan dan sokongan kepada semua pengusaha perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam perlu diberikan untuk mengurangkan kos pengendalian serta meningkatkan keselesaan kepada pengguna.
"Sebagai contoh memberi bantuan atau geran kepada semua kenderaan pengangkutan awam supaya bertukar kepada penggunaan gas petroleum cecair atau LPG.
"Pinjaman tanpa faedah juga boleh dikeluarkan kepada semua pengusaha pengangkutan awam untuk menukar bas-bas dari 15 tahun. Harga bas diperoleh secara tender terbuka daripada semua pembekal bas," kata Muhammad Sha'ani. - Bernama
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Langkah tegas menyekat manipulasi harga
| Rencana |
| mStar online 03-04-2008 11:32:02 AM |
| KUALA LUMPUR: Masyarakat pengguna negara ini sudah tentunya menarik nafas lega apabila Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna yang baru, Datuk Shahrir Samad berkata kerajaan boleh mengatasi masalah kekurangan bekalan dan kenaikan harga barangan menerusi langkah mengimport barangan berkenaan. Kaedah tersebut juga dikatakan boleh menghentikan manipulasi oleh peniaga dan pengeluar barangan tempatan yang selama ini mempunyai kuasa bagi menentukan kuantiti dan harga barangan bagi pasaran dalam negara. Kalau hendak diikutkan, para pengguna negara ini sudah terlalu lama menjadi mangsa sikap segelintir peniaga yang rakus menaikkan harga barangan terutamanya menjelang musim perayaan. Mereka sememangnya ternanti-nanti tindakan tegas kerajaan untuk membendung sikap yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu. "Kerajaan bertanggungjawab memastikan keselesaan hidup yang baik untuk semua rakyat Malaysia. Golongan berpendapatan rendah mesti diberi bantuan supaya mereka boleh menghadapi beban kos sara hidup yang semakin meningkat. "Harga barangan terkawal harus terus dikawalselia dengan tindakan yang lebih progresif seperti membuka untuk pengimportan untuk lebih ramai pengimport," kata Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, Ketua Eksekutif/Setiausaha Agung, Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) baru-baru ini. Beliau berkata demikian sebagai mengulas kenyataan Shahrir mengenai kemungkinan langkah yang boleh diambil kerajaan bagi menghentikan manipulasi harga barangan serta menjamin bekalan dan harga barangan yang lebih berpatutan. Kawalan harga Menurut Muhammad Sha'ani, sistem kawalan harga yang tidak kemas yang tidak mengambil kira kos pengeluaran atau pengimportan atau pun kos melepas seperti berlaku ke atas minyak sawit akan menjadi insentif negatif kepada pengeluar atau pengimport untuk terus membekalkan barangan yang terbabit kepada pengguna di Malaysia. Sebagai peniaga yang bergantung kepada keuntungan untuk kemandirian (survival), peniaga tidak boleh menanggung kerugian, tambahnya. "Jika peniaga tidak dapat satu margin keuntungan yang munasabah dari segi kos kewangan, mereka akan menaikkan harga. Jika harga barangan itu dikawal, mereka sama ada akan menghentikan pengeluaran ataupun pengimportan. "Ada juga pengeluar seperti pengeluar besi batang keluli dan simen terpaksa menjual hasil keluaran pada harga kawalan tetapi mengenakan pelbagai caj tambahan untuk menampung kos pengeluaran yang melebihi harga kawalan," kata beliau. Dalam keadaan tersebut, katanya, pengeluaran lesen dan permit import akan memberi manfaat dari segi tambahan bekalan untuk mengawal peningkatan harga runcit. Langkah itu juga, katanya akan mempengaruhi pengeluar tempatan untuk bersaing dengan berusaha lebih cekap dalam proses pengeluaran dan sistem pengedaran ke pasaran. "Sebagai contoh bekalan gula pasir dan tepung gandum diimport oleh bilangan kecil pengimport yang diberi lesen import. Bilangan kecil ini boleh memanipulasi pasaran barangan ini dengan mudah. Juga dengan kedudukan seakan monopoli mereka tidak akan berusaha untuk mencari sumber bekalan alternatif bagi mendapatkan bekalan gula dan tepung gandum dengan harga yang lebih kompetitif," jelas beliau. Dalam hal daging ayam pula, tambahnya, walaupun kos pengeluaran tidak bertambah di waktu permintaan meningkat dengan alasan permintaan yang tinggi, pengeluar masih menuntut harga lebih. "Keadaan seperti ini perlu dipantau dengan langkah awalan harus disediakan supaya pengimportan bermusim dilaksanakan untuk mengawal tekanan pasaran sewaktu musim perayaan yang akan menyebabkan harga meningkat," tambahnya. Pasaran kecil Menurut Muhammad Sha'ani, pembekal dapat memanipulasi pasaran tempatan untuk kepentingan mereka kerana Malaysia adalah sebuah pasaran kecil. "Bilangan pengimport dan pembuat yang kecil membuatkan mereka bekerja sebagai kartel untuk menguatkan kelebihan seperti pembahagian kawasan pengedaran, penetapan harga dan penetapan kuantiti bekalan,"jelasnya. Beliau memberitahu sekiranya kerajaan mengenakan kawalan harga ke atas barangan biasa (standard), pihak pembekal akan bertindak dengan tidak mengeluarkan barangan standard. Sebaliknya, tambah beliau, pihak berkenaan akan beralih kepada rumusan yang bukan standard seperti tepung gandum dan roti diperkaya dengan vitamin untuk mengelakkan peraturan kawalan harga. Beliau memberitahu meskipun matlamat kawalan harga adalah untuk memberi keselesaan hidup kepada pengguna berpendapatan rendah, tindakan yang sedemikian juga menyebabkan pengeluar kurang insentif untuk mengeluarkan barangan. "Ada ketika pembekal terus menghentikan bekalan barangan standard dan pengguna terpaksa membeli keperluan dengan harga yang lebih tinggi kerana tiada pilihan. "Keadaan ini lebih parah di kawasan luar bandar kerana pengguna luar bandar tidak mempunyai pilihan dari segi premis jualan dan peniaga kecil luar bandar juga bergantung kepada pengedar-pengedar kecil untuk bekalan," katanya. Muhammad Shaani bagaimanapun berpendapat tidak adil tindakan undang-undang dikenakan ke atas peruncit kerana penetapan harga dikawal oleh pengedar dan pemborong. "Tindakan undang-undang yang ketat memutuskan bekalan keperluan kepada pengguna luar bandar," kata beliau. Saranan FOMCA Mekanisme kawalan harga, menurut Muhammad Sha'ani juga mempunyai kos dari segi penguatkuasaan, subsidi, ketirisan seperti penyeludupan, penggunaan oleh sektor luar dari sektor yang layak menerima keistimewaan harga kawalan serta ketidakcekapan bekalan. Dalam masa yang sama, kata beliau kawalan harga juga lebih menguntungkan pengguna berpendapatan tinggi kerana golongan itu menggunakan kuantiti yang banyak berbanding pengguna berpendapatan rendah. "Bahan mentah yang disubsidi digunakan bagi menghasilkan barangan eksport dan ini sebenarnya memberi faedah kepada pengguna di luar negara yang membeli barangan tersebut," tambah beliau. Muhammad Sha'ani berpendapat sekiranya subsidi barangan keperluan mahu dikurangkan, ianya mesti dibuat secara berperingkat. Katanya, mekanisme sokongan sara hidup yang lebih menyasarkan kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah berdasarkan pendapatan per kapita perlu direncana dan dilaksanakan segera. Tambah beliau, program bantuan dan sokongan kepada semua pengusaha perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam perlu diberikan untuk mengurangkan kos pengendalian serta meningkatkan keselesaan kepada pengguna. "Sebagai contoh memberi bantuan atau geran kepada semua kenderaan pengangkutan awam supaya bertukar kepada penggunaan gas petroleum cecair atau LPG. "Pinjaman tanpa faedah juga boleh dikeluarkan kepada semua pengusaha pengangkutan awam untuk menukar basbas dari 15 tahun. Harga bas diperolehi secara tender terbuka daripada semua pembekal bas," kata Muhammad Sha'ani. FOMCA juga, kata beliau ingin mencadangkan supaya semua lesen perniagaan kecil dan premis gerai/penjaja untuk pengusaha dihadkan tempohnya kepada 3 hingga lima tahun dengan larangan untuk disewakan kepada pihak ketiga. BERNAMA |
PRICE MANIPULATION: Stern measures needed
Melati Mohd Ariff, BERNAMA:
KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:
Malaysian consumers can now heave their sigh of relief after the newly-appointed Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Shahrir Samad said the government may import goods to overcome shortage and price increase.
The government’s stern move in dealing with the unscrupulous traders is eagerly waited by consumers, who have long being victimized by the irresponsible merchants, particularly during festive seasons.
“The government is responsible to ensure the well-being of all Malaysians.
Those in the lower-income group should be given assistance to enable them to meet the rising cost of living.
“Price of the controlled goods should be regulated by more progressive measures like opening the door to more importers”.
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations’ (Fomca) chief executive and secretary-general, Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah told Bernama this when commenting on Shahrir’s statements on the government’s possible moves to curtail price manipulation of goods.
PRICE CONTROL
Muhammad Sha’ani said a loose price-control that does not take into account the production, import and opportunity costs like what happened to palm oil, would become a bane for producers to continue supplying the commodity for domestic consumers.
“If the traders could not obtain a reasonable profit margin, then they will raise the price. If the price is controlled, then they will stop production or the import.
“There are producers like those for steel bars and cement who are forced to sell their wares at controlled prices but had to impose various extra charges in order to meet the production costs.
In this case, issuance of import licenses and permits would boost supply and stabilize the retail prices.
He said the move would provide local producers the thrust to improve quality and marketing of their products.
“For example, sugar and wheat flour are imported by several companies granted permits. These ’few’ are able to easily influence the market price.
“And in a monopoly-like market, they will not try to look for alternative supply sources to make the price for sugar and wheat flour more competitive,” he said.
In the case of the chicken, where the production cost does not jump when there is a hike in demand, the producers still demand for higher price.
“Such a situation should be monitored and a preliminary measure should be in place to allow for seasonal imports to control price surge during festive seasons,” said Muhammad Sha’ani.
SMALL MARKET
Muhammad Sha’ani said the suppliers are able to manipulate the domestic market, as Malaysia is a small country.
“The few number of importers and producers enable them to function as a cartel, like claiming their respective areas, distribution, fixing of price and quantity of goods”, he said.
He said if the government imposes price control over the standard goods, the producers would stop producing the items.
Then, the producers will move to non-standard items like vitamin-enriched wheat flour and bread to circumvent the price-control regulations.
Despite being a mechanism to safeguard the interest of lower-income earners, price control also cuts down the incentives for producers.
“There are times when producers totally stop their supply of standard goods, forcing consumers to purchase essential items at higher price as they have no other choices, said Muhammad Sha’ani.
“This situation is worse in the rural areas as consumers have no other alternatives in terms of shops and rural traders also depend on smalltime distributors for their supply,” he said.
However it is unfair if legal action is taken against retailers as wholesalers and distributors control the price, said Muhammad Sha’ani.
"Strict legal measures disrupt supply of essential goods for consumers in rural areas,” he said.
FOMCA’S CALL
Muhammad Sha’ani said price control has its own costs in terms of enforcement, subsidies, leakages like smuggling, and usage in other sectors that are not supposed to benefit from the mechanism as well as supply inefficiency.
At the same time, price control also benefits those in the higher-income group as they use the goods in much higher quantities as compared to the low-income earners.
“The subsidized raw materials are used to produce export products and this actually benefits foreign users who acquire the products,” he said.
He said if the subsidies are to be withdrawn, it should be done in stages.
Muhammad Sha’ani said a mechanism for cost of living support for the lower-income earners should be implemented based on the per capita income.
He said the assistance and support programmes for all public transport operators in order to slash handling costs and improve consumers’ comfort.
"For example, provide assistance and grants for all public transport vehicles to switch liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“Interest-free loans can be issued to all public transport operators to enable them to change their 15-year-old buses. The bus’ price can be obtained from vehicles’ suppliers via the open tender system,” said Muhammad Sha’ani.
He said, Fomca calls for all licenses for petty trading and hawkers’ premises be limited for the period between three and five years and barred from being leased out to third parties.
