"Traders who do not believe in God will always raise price of goods" - Hamzah

God has never told anyone to increase or decrease the price of goods in the country, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

“Usually, traders who believe in God will behave ethically and not raise prices,” he said in reply to the supplementary question from Kepong MP, Dr Tan Seng Giaw who had asked if the increase in prices was in the hands of God.

“Based on his question, I am not sure if he believes in God,” Hamzah told Dewan Rakyat today.

The Larut MP also admitted that the 2,300 enforcement officers are insufficient to handle the issue of price hikes.

However, Hamzah believed consumers registered with the “Friends of KPDNKK" can become the "eyes and ears" of the ministry.

“Right now we have about 303,000 friends of KPDNKK,” he added.

He said up until March 8, a total of 7,848 notices were issued under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

He said out of that, 209 investigating papers have been opened on over-pricing.