Feedback on overcoming rise in living costs needed - Finance Ministry

The Finance Ministry is encouraging feedback from the general public on ways to beat the rise in the cost of living for the formulation of the Budget 2015.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said Malaysia's inflation rate was at 3.2 percent and still considered low when compared to its peers at 6.0 percent.

"But we will continue to assist the people by receiving feedback from all concerned on ways to overcome the rise in living costs," he added.

He told the media this after chairing a meeting on "Focus Group: Managing Rising Cost of Living", here on July 16.

"We have received good proposals such as the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), on overcoming middlemen and controlling house prices.

"We see three key costs that are the focus of the people, namely, the material cost of food and drinks, transport and housing. We want now to hear the people's view on this.

"We are opening up opportunities in July and August for all concerned to forward their views on the mentioned issues for consideration in the tabling of the Budget 2015 on Oct 10," Ahmad said.

Feedback on the Budget 2015 can be sent via email to [email protected].

The budget this time is themed, "Accelerating Growth, Ensuring Fiscal Sustainability and Prospering the People", and is the last under the 10th Malaysia Plan.