The government’s fiscal measures-- which have led to price increases in essentials such as petrol, sugar and electricity-- have minimal impact on the fluctuating prices in food stuff.

This, according to UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, was one of his findings after speaking to vendors during a walkabout at the Kuala Lumpur wetmarket in Selayang this morning.

“We found that there are many reasons for the rise and fall of prices of food stuff. The main reasons we were told is the supply and demand, such as decreasing exports from Thailand. It is also closely linked to the weather,” said Khairy, who was with an entourage of UMNO Youth Quality of Life Bureau members, Thursday.

“However, it is undeniable that petrol prices would also affect food prices, but that’s not the main factor.

“Many youths wrongly assume that everything is linked to petrol increases and so on," said the Youth and Sports Minister.

Khairy warned grocery shops from using petrol increases as an excuse to hike food prices.

“It is unreasonable to use petrol prices as an excuse because we know other factors play a more important role here,” he said.

UMNO Youth, said Khairy, have formed ‘consumer squads’ to go around the nation to monitor prices as well as to educate the public.

“At this time, we want to help the rakyat. We (UMNO) can’t be enforcers because we are not a government agency, but we can help with the information flow,” said Khairy.

He urged the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) to step up its enforcement works to ensure that prices remained fair.

During the market visit, Khairy spoke to vegetable, fish and other food vendors who supply in bulk and asked about the differences in prices and the reasons behind them.

His team also distributed flyers that contained the KPDNKK’s prices lists as well as information about its portal www.1pengguna.com where consumers can check daily prices.

“There are many who know the market prices, and there are many who don’t. We want consumers to be informed and be wise, ” he said, adding that UMNO Youth is also working closely with consumer groups.

Khairy said that his visit followed the government’s announcement of a Special Committee to Tackle The Cost of Living chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“We are helping KPDNKK, and visits like this help us suggest to the government how we can curb unreasonable price increases,“ he said.

Khairy said that the government needed to refer to laws such as Anti Profiteering Act, Price Control Act and Competition Act to make sure prices remain low and that there are no cartels and monopolies.

“When there is competition, the winners are the consumers. We want consumers to be holding the power.” he said.

* Reports of price manipulation can also be made to 1-800-886-800 or SMS to KPDNKK ADUAN