No price hikes on controlled items

Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob denied that there were price hikes on controlled items in the northern part of the country in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

He said the kulai red chili and local tomato prices that were reportedly raised in Kedah were not listed as controlled items.

He said the controlled items were red chilies imported from China and tomatoes from Thailand.

"So far the Ministry's enforcers have not received any reports regarding such increases. Yesterday's private television station's report was not true.

"Prices of kulai red chili and local tomatoes from Cameron Highlands, which are not controlled items, increased due to demands during Chinese New Year," he told reporters after attending Bera's Ponggal festival in Triang, near here today.

He asked members of the public to inform the ministry of indiscriminate price hikes of controlled items.