Monitoring and Regulation of Food Prices during Ramadan
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has been conducting inspections at Ramadan bazaars, public markets, wet markets, supermarkets, and grocery stores to monitor food prices and ensure that they are reasonable and fair. The inspections have found no complaints of excessive food price hikes so far.
No Unreasonable Price Increases
According to Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Dr. Fuziah Salleh, the monitoring teams have not found any unreasonable price increases. "However, there have been media reports about food price hikes. But our inspections indicate that there has been no sudden or unjustified increase," she said at a press conference after visiting the Northern Zone-level Bazar Ramadan Rahmah (BRR) 2025 at Bazar Ramadan Jalan Mahkamah.
Complaints and Feedback Mechanism
Despite the lack of unreasonable price increases, KPDN has received 307 complaints related to traders failing to display price tags and issues concerning weighing and measuring instruments. Fuziah urged consumers to report any unreasonable food price increases through the Aduan Suri service by scanning a QR code, assuring that KPDN would take action within 24 hours.
Partnership with the Public
Fuziah emphasized the importance of the public’s role in helping KPDN monitor and regulate food prices. "Therefore, the public is encouraged to be KPDN’s strategic partners by providing information or complaints so that the ministry can curb trader misconduct or any violations of the law," she said.
Aduan Suri Statistics
As of March 6 this year, Aduan Suri had received 36,770 complaints, with 142 from Penang and 1,879 at the national level.
Menu Rahmah Initiative
KPDN has launched the Menu Rahmah initiative, which aims to reduce living costs by offering food at RM5 and below. The initiative is part of the Payung Rahmah programme, which was launched earlier in Penang. Out of 95 BRRs involved, 10 are in Penang.
Incentives for Traders
Traders selling the Menu Rahmah will receive a range of incentives, including discount cards, e-wallet incentives, and Caltex petrol cards. Every trader offering the Menu Rahmah at BRR will receive an e-wallet incentive of RM100 and a Caltex petrol card worth RM50 for fuel purchases at the designated petrol stations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, KPDN’s inspections have found no complaints of excessive food price hikes during Ramadan. The ministry encourages the public to report any unreasonable food price increases through the Aduan Suri service, and offers incentives to traders who participate in the Menu Rahmah initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Aduan Suri service?
A: Aduan Suri is a feedback mechanism that allows consumers to report any unreasonable food price increases by scanning a QR code.
Q: How many complaints has Aduan Suri received so far?
A: As of March 6 this year, Aduan Suri has received 36,770 complaints, with 142 from Penang and 1,879 at the national level.
Q: What is the Menu Rahmah initiative?
A: The Menu Rahmah initiative is a programme that aims to reduce living costs by offering food at RM5 and below.
Q: What incentives are available to traders who participate in the Menu Rahmah initiative?
A: Traders selling the Menu Rahmah will receive a range of incentives, including discount cards, e-wallet incentives, and Caltex petrol cards.