KUALA LUMPUR – The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is tracking prices at every level of the supply chain and will use the Competition Act 2010 on those who collude to raise prices, deputy minister Fuziah Salleh said.
She told the Dewan Rakyat today that the ministry has access to data and information on prices at each level of the supply chain, starting from production, to transportation, and also to the point when goods reach retailers.
“The Competition Act can be used if there is cartel activity that increases the price of controlled goods.
“For example, if there’s a case involving chicken cartels, action will be taken if we detect any collusion to increase prices,” she said.
Fuziah was replying to Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (Dungun-PN), who asked how the ministry would deal with shortages and price increases for essential food items such as sugar, eggs, flour and cooking oil.
Fuziah also said that other laws can be used in order to prevent price manipulation of controlled items, such as the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
“The ministry also will implement the Control of Supplies Act if activity to hide goods is detected, and also enforce the Consumer Protection Act if the displayed price is different,” she said. – November 15, 2023