By Natasha Jee & Nia Natasha Hasenan
KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will recommend to the federal government ways to reduce the higher prices of goods caused by logistics and transportation costs in Sarawak.
Its minister, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi pointed out the issue was not new.
He said the business sector had asked the government to mitigate the problem.
“I don’t see how the government can provide subsidies to reduce costs caused by transportation and logistics.
“Perhaps, there are other ways the government can do to assist the industry players here. Like giving concessions in other aspects to reduce the cost of doing business here,” he told a press conference after attending a dialogue session between his ministry and the Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak at the federation’s office at City Square, Jalan Pending on Monday (Sept 14).
Nanta promised that the ministry would look into the issues raised during the dialogue and recommend solutions to the federal government.
His ministry was closely monitoring the increase in the prices of goods sold, he said, adding there were several committees at the government level to monitor the prices of goods, including those that monitored the cost of living.
The dialogue session was co-organised by KPDNHEP and the federation.
Among the agencies which shared their roles and functions at the event were also Companies Commission Malaysia (SSM), Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) and Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC).
Also present were KPDNHEP secretary general, Datuk Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad;MyIPO director general Datuk Mohd Roslan Mahayudin; KPDNHEP Sarawak director, Datuk Stanley Tan; Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak president Datuk Richard Wee and Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak (ACCCIS) president, Tan Jit Kee.
