Very few complaints on price hikes - Hasan Malek

Very few complaints on price hikes of goods and services have been received following the reduction in subsidy for the RON95 petrol and diesel, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said today.

"As of today, we have received very few complaints, for example only three from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya gathering and opening the Non-Pensionable Army Veterans Association building here today.

He was responding to a query as to whether the ministry had received such complaints from the public after the petrol and diesel subsidies were reduced by 20 sen.

Hasan said the reduction in subsidies did not have a big impact on the operating cost of businesses so it would be unreasonable for the price of goods and services to be hiked indiscriminately.

"I also wish to thank the traders who have not hiked their prices and who understand the government's aim of channelling the difference in subsidy to other expenditures," he said.