Wanita UMNO members, especially those in the rural areas, can be the eyes and ears of the government in preventing irresponsible parties from raising the price of essential goods, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

As such, he said they were encouraged to become Friends of the KPDNKK so that they could warn the public on the irresponsible acts.

"It is important for Wanita UMNO members to register as Friends of KPDNKK because they will be able to help us in keeping tab on the prices of daily necessities and indirectly act as a medium for the community to channel their complaints.

"The complaints can be filed together with copies of evidence and our enforcement personnel will follow up by investigating and taking legal action against those involved," he told reporters after opening the Tanjung Karang Wanita UMNO Division delegates' conference here on Saturday.

Some 2,500 Tanjung Karang Wanita UMNO members signed up as Friends of KPDNKK at the event, which was also attended by Tanjong Karang UMNO deputy chief Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias and Wanita UMNO chief Datuk Habibah Mohd Yusof.

-- BERNAMA