Chicken sold between RM8.50 to RM9.50 per kg in Selangor

SHAH ALAM: The average retail price of chicken has started to be sold between RM8.50 to RM9.50 per kg in Selangor, said Selangor Exco for Islamic Religious Affairs, Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni.

He said compared to the previous price which reached up to RM10.50 per kg, the average price was the result of checks and price changes made by traders during enforcement inspections carried out by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Enforcement in Selangor.

He said the chicken prices in the Selangor market are now in a controlled and stable situation and consumers are encouraged to continue to make wise purchases by constantly checking and comparing prices based on location.

Mohd Zawawi said the reason for the increase in chicken prices was because Malaysia is still importing raw materials such as corn for chicken feed and he advised the government to review the food security policy.

"If corn is the main cause (increase in chicken prices) in Malaysia, there is a large area that can be cultivated for agricultural products such as corn, just like other basic food sources," he said.

He said this when inspecting the price of chicken with Selangor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) director Mohamad Zikril Azan Abdullah at Section 6 Public Market here yesterday.

Mohd Zawawi said from Sept 13 to 19, a total of 339 premises comprising suppliers and retailers were inspected by KPDNHEP Selangor following the sharp increase in chicken prices in the market.

"A total of 247 (72.86 per cent) premises are ready to sell at a lower price and at the recommended price of RM9.50, while 86 (25.36 per cent) other premises have agreed to lower the selling price to RM9.50.

"While six (1.76 per cent) other premises agreed conditionally to lower the price provided the supplier can sell at a lower wholesale price," he said.

He said monitoring and inspections were carried out daily in Selangor focusing on chicken traders in public and wet markets who are subject to the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 through control mechanisms enforced through anti-profiteering legislation.

-- BERNAMA