MUKAH: The festive season maximum price scheme (SHMMP) 2021 was implemented as a move to control the increase in price of essential goods during the fasting month of Ramadan and prior to Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration which is expected to fall on May 13.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Mukah branch head Salihin Den said the scheme was implemented in two phases, with the first phase involving nine types of goods and was enforced on April 21.
He added there were signs of increase in prices of those goods since the end of March, and involved four categories namely chicken, chicken eggs, meat and seafood.
According to him, phase two began on May 6 through to 20 and will last for 15 days, that is seven days prior to the celebration, on celebration day and seven days after the celebration.
“The ministry expects other essential goods related to Hari Raya Aidilfitri will result in high demand prior to the celebration, thus may experience pressure in terms of price,” he said on Thursday.
Salihin said the ministry had identified 20 types of goods in the second phase of SHMMP 2021, where categories of controlled goods comprised vegetables, dry goods and seafood.
However, he pointed out in Sarawak the controlled price goods comprised 14 types only, and with the addition of nine types of goods, the total number now stands at 23.
According to him, the two-phased scheme was
implemented based on data-driven and prices of goods in the market, as well as the feedback from consumers.
He said the scheme was also aimed at stablising the prices of critical goods which would be the main menu during each celebration, while enabling as many people as possible to celebrate peacefully, happily and harmoniously.
He therefore advised traders to always sell controlled price goods not exceeding the maximum price as fixed by the government. Anyone flouting the law will be taken action under the Price Control and Anti-profiteering Act 2011.
