Mustapa urges patience over cost of living

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has appealed for patience from Malaysians feeling the pinch of rising prices, saying they should trust the government's ability to reduce the cost of living. He said the government is committed to tackling the issue, with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin himself heading a Cabinet special committee to address the rising cost of living. Speaking to reporters after visiting the Linatex Rubber Products Sdn Bhd factory here Tuesday, Mustapa said even if the government is unable to totally prevent the rise in cost of living due to rising prices of goods, some of the measures taken have shown positive results, such as lower prices at supermarkets. "The government's seriousness is proven, and the steps it has taken through the deputy prime minister have already shown results," he said. On Jan 15, Muhyiddin announced the formation of a special Cabinet committee that will among others conduct sectoral studies relating to price increases, including those that stem from market structural issues such as supply and marcurb Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched a nationwide price reduction campaign to help ease the people's burden, with the first phase for 10 months to involve 10 supermarket chains -- Econsave, Aeon, Mydin, NSK, 99 Speedmart, Aeon Big, Segi Fresh Mart, Giant, KK Mart and Tesco.