Avoid eating chicken if the prices is too high - Hasan Malek

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek today urged to the people to switch to fish or meat to check the rise in the prices of chicken.

He said this step was necessary in view of irresponsible quarters taking advantage of the Aidilfitri season to hike prices of the popular item.

"This will serve as a lesson to them (irresponsible quarters ) that profiteering does not pay.

"Use consumer power to boycott chicken and teach them a lesson... we can still celebrate Aidilfitri without chicken. Buy meat instead," he said at a "Meet-the-People" session in Pulau Perhentian near here on Sunday.

He said the ministry was monitoring the situation closely and warned of stern action against those found to be engaged in profiteering.

He also assured the players in the supply chain for chicken had given their assurance that there would be no shortage of the item this Aidilfitri.

Variou news reports today said the rise in prices of chicken reported in many states had not abated, even five days into the fasting month of Ramadan.