Friday, April 25, 2008
The Malay Mali: Rice price watch needed
25 April 2008
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.
| 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.
