PETALING JAYA: Ahead of the implementation of service tax on financial services on July 1, groups have voiced concerns, saying that this is likely to drive up costs for businesses and the regular people.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham said ordinary Malaysians would be the most impacted by the 8% service tax on fee-based financial services.

Indrani said the small charges may seem as a trivial amount but it is a huge sum when multiplied by the millions of transactions. 

“When Malaysian banks are riding on massive profits and control trillions in assets, why should struggling consumers be asked to chip in more. 

“This is taxing basic financial access, not luxury,” said Indrani. 

Indrani called on Bank Negara Malaysia and the Finance Ministry to immediately review this new ruling.

“The principle of consumer fairness must be upheld,” said Indrani, adding that banks should absorb part of this tax, especially on low value and high-volume services. 

Indrani also said consumer groups should be given the space to scrutinise every fee schedule so that banks should be held accountable and thereby prevent opportunistic fee hikes disguised as tax adjustments. 

PETALING JAYA: Housing experts have called for a vacancy tax to help tackle the rise of vacant and unsold homes and lower property prices by discouraging speculation.

They said many “affordable” housing units are being held empty by owners or investors, making it harder for real buyers to find homes.

Research associate K Theebalakshmi said a vacancy tax can prevent speculation and push developers to build homes that meet actual needs, reducing oversupply and supporting more balanced housing development.

Theebalakshmi, who is with Khazanah Research Institute, said housing prices in Malaysia rose by 5.8% a year between 2010 and 2022, well above the healthy growth range of 3% to 4%.

“While some fear falling home prices or rents, this kind of market correction (vacancy tax) may be just what we need to make housing more fair and stable,” she told FMT.

“In highly urbanised states where vacancy and overhang rates are high, a vacancy tax would help stop people from holding on to homes for quick profit.”

Figures from the statistics department show that nearly 20% of homes in Selangor and Penang were vacant in 2020.

More than 53,000 units were unoccupied in Penang, often waiting to be sold or rented out. In Selangor, 343,562 homes were reported vacant, with about 197,065 of them either newly completed or pending occupancy.

KUALA LUMPUR: One of the country's largest retail groups, whose members employ over 400,000 people, has called on the government to consider a further review of the eight per cent Sales and Service Tax (SST) on commercial rentals.

This comes after the Finance Ministry announced an increase in the Service Tax registration threshold for commercial rentals from RM500,000 to RM1 million.

Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) vice-president Dr Afendi Dahlan said while they welcomed the revision, as it would help many micro, small and medium enterprises that fall within this range, there were concerns for other players.

He said businesses already faced higher overheads due to the rise in the minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700, the rationalisation of diesel subsidies, higher electricity tariffs, e-invoicing and Employees Provident Fund contributions for foreign workers, among others.

Afendi said rental was among the key costs for any retailer, accounting for up to 20 per cent of total costs. 

KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer and health groups say while the exemption of apples and oranges from the Sales and Service Tax (SST) is a positive move, it falls short of tackling deeper issues of food affordability, nutrition and profiteering.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said the measure was too narrow and lacked a coherent food policy direction.

"While the exemption of apples and oranges from SST may offer some short-term relief, Fomca does not view this move as fully adequate or genuinely welcome. In principle, food — being a basic human need — should never have been subjected to SST in the first place," he said.

Malaysia Consumers Movement deputy president Beninder Johl said the taxation of fruits in any form was misguided.

"We don't support taxing fruits at all. Imported fruits aren't only consumed by the rich — middle-income families buy them, too. We should be taxing unhealthy foods instead, not nutritious ones."

He also pointed out that local fruits were not necessarily more affordable.

"If we force a shift away from imported fruits, demand for local fruits could rise and push prices up further."

He said any expansion of SST must be backed by targeted subsidies, cash aid and support for local agriculture.

Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kadeer said while SST exemptions for basic items were welcome, enforcement must be tightened to prevent price manipulation.

PETALING JAYA: The findings on food inflation over the decades by the Statistics Department (DOSM) is a call to action for reforms, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

“Either we reform now, or we risk deepening inequality, worsening malnutrition, and undermining Malaysia’s economic and social resilience,” said secretary-general Saravanan Thambirajah.

He was commenting on the department’s report that found a threefold increase in food prices in the past five decades.

“We must ensure every Malaysian has affordable access to nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate food, regardless of income level or geography.

“For that, consumer empowerment must be matched by bold policy shifts, inclusive fiscal planning, and sustained political will. Only then can we build a resilient, just, and food-secure Malaysia for the next generation.”

Saravanan said the B40 and M40 segments are using multiple coping strategies which are not sustainable in the long term.

They include borrowing money or using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) option to afford groceries and switching to lower quality food such as instant noodles and ultra-processed goods.

Hong Kong Consumer Council (HKCC) and the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for collaboration on cross-border consumer disputes. 

This agreement aims to establish an information exchange and complaint referral mechanism, strengthening cooperation between the two parties in resolving cross-border consumer disputes.

As the fifth MOU that the HKCC has signed with a consumer body in Asia, following similar agreements with the Korea Consumer Agency in 2017, the National Consumer Affairs Centre of Japan in 2018, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) in 2019, and the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) in 2024, this MOU together with the other four underscore a shared commitment in enhancing protection for consumers in the region and boosting consumer confidence.

Under the agreement, residents of either Hong Kong or Malaysia involved in consumer disputes with traders in the other party’s territory may lodge complaints with their local consumer body upon returning to their place of residence.

With the complainant’s prior consent, their local consumer body can refer the details and relevant documents of the complaint case to the other consumer body, which would then assist the consumer in resolving the dispute.

They said concerns have been raised over the SST’s cascading nature, lack of clarity and potential to erode household spending while squeezing business margins.

PETALING JAYA – Stakeholders want the government to review the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), warning that it could worsen living costs and place further strain on small businesses amid fragile economic conditions.

They said concerns have been raised over the SST’s cascading nature, lack of clarity and potential to erode household spending while squeezing business margins.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said the expanded SST, set to take effect on July 1, would disproportionately impact lower and middle-­income groups.

Fomca chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah said B40 and M40 households, which already spend a large share of their income on essentials, would feel the brunt of a 5% tax on items like cooking oil, fruit and cereal.

“It’s not just about paying more. It’s about trade-offs families will have to make such as cutting back on nutrition or postponing medical and educational needs,” he said yesterday.

Experts warn ambiguity could lead to unintended consequences such as pricing confusion and profiteering

PETALING JAYA: The government is being urged to release a clear, centralised list of taxable and exempted items under the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) to prevent confusion ahead of its implementation on July 1.

Economists warn that without authoritative guidance, businesses could face compliance issues and pricing disputes. They said a government-endorsed reference list is seen as critical to ensure clarity for companies, consumers and enforcement agencies.

A Finance Ministry spokesperson said the expanded SST will include a 5% sales tax on both locally manufactured and imported goods. However, locally grown fruits will be exempt, while imported fruits will be taxed.

“Selected imported food items such as rice, wheat, sugar, salt and meat remain exempt as they are considered basic essentials,” the ministry said, adding that both local and imported palm oil used for cooking will also continue to be exempted.

Still, confusion persists over what exactly is taxable. For example, cooking oil was initially believed to be taxed, but authorities later clarified that palm-based cooking oil, regardless of origin, remains exempt.

TODAY is World Food Safety Day, and its theme “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected” encourages everyone – from home cooks to big food factories – to stay alert, clean and ready because food safety isn’t just a government thing. It’s an everyone, everywhere, every day kind of mission.

The Health Ministry, through its Food Safety and Quality Division, and using laws like the Food Act 1983 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, inspects restaurants, tests food samples and monitors imports.

It also deploys technology in the battle for safe food. This includes the myfoodtag app that lets users scan food products to check for allergens and nutrition info. There is also FOSIM: the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia is a digital system that tracks imported food to make sure nothing risky ends up in our supermarkets.

However, food safety cannot depend on rules alone. It needs structure, and that’s where standards come in. Think of standards like a recipe for doing things the right way.

One global favourite is ISO 22000, which helps food businesses big and small set up food safety management systems.

நாம் அன்றாடம் உட்கொள்ளும் உணவு சுத்தமானதாக மற்றும் பாதுகாப்பானதாக இருக்க வேண்டும் என மலேசிய பயனீட்டாளர்கள் தரநிலை சங்கத்தின் பொதுச் செயலாளர் சாரல் ஜேம்ஸ் மணியம் கூறினார்.

சுத்தமற்ற இடத்தில் தயாரிக்கப்படும் உணவு, பழைய உணவு வகைகளை உட்கொள்வதை நாம் அனைவரும் தவிர்க்க வேண்டும் என அவர் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

இன்று ஜூன் 7 அனைத்துலக உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தினத்தை முன்னிட்டு வெளியிட்ட அறிக்கை ஒன்றில் அவர் குறிப்பிட்டார். மலேசிய சுகாதார அமைச்சின் கீழ் செயல்படும் உணவு தர மற்றும் பாதுகாப்பு பிரிவு இந்த விவகாரம் குறித்து விழிப்புடன் இருந்து வருவதாக அவர் சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

நாம் உட்கொள்ளும் உணவினால் வயிற்று கோளாறு ஏற்படக்கூடாது என்பதை உறுதி செய்ய இந்த பிரிவு பாதுகாப்பு நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருவதாக அவர் சுட்டிக்காட்டினார். இரவு சந்தை, உணவகங்கள் மற்றும் பள்ளிகளில் சிற்றுண்டி சாலைகளில் விற்கப்படும் உணவு சுத்தமானதா மற்றும் பாதுகாப்பானதா என்பதை நாம் முதலில் தெரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். உணவு பாதுகாப்பு தர நிலையை அடிப்படையாக க் கொண்டது.

SHAH ALAM- Malaysia tidak ketinggalan dalam usaha mengurangkan kesan buruk plastik terhadap alam sekitar selaras dengan komitmen terhadap kelestarian bumi.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna-pengguna Standards Malaysia, Saral James Maniam berkata, setiap 5 Jun dunia menyambut Hari Alam Sekitar Sedunia dan tahun ini temanya cukup jelas iaitu 'Atasi Pencemaran Plastik', dengan Korea Selatan menjadi tuan rumah sambutan 2025.

"Seluruh dunia digesa bertindak segera menangani krisis pencemaran plastik yang semakin meruncing dan negara kita tidak ketinggalan.

"Dari sekolah hingga ke pusat membeli-belah, peniaga kecil hingga ke syarikat gergasi termasuk pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT), pelbagai inisiatif telah digerakkan demi masa depan lebih hijau dan lestari," katanya dalam satu kenyataan pada Jumaat.

Ujar Saral, ancaman mikroplastik pada hari ini hakikatnya semakin meruncing dengan ia mudah ditemui dalam makanan, minuman dan darah manusia.

செயற்கை தொழில்நுட்பத்தின் (ஏஐ) வழிகாட்டிகள் இருந்த போதிலும் அதை ஏன் அரசாங்கம் மக்களிடம் பகிர்ந்து கொள்ளவில்லை என மலேசிய பயனீட்டாளர்கள் தரநிலை சங்கத்தின பொதுச் செயலாளர் செயலாளர் சாரா ஜேம்ஸ் கேள்வி எழுப்பினார். இந்த வழிகாட்டிகளை அரசாங்கம் மக்களிடம் பகிர்ந்து கொண்டால் தான் ஏஐ தொழில்நுட்பம் குறித்து மக்களிடையே விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுமே என அவர் சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

இந்த வழிகாட்டிகளை தெரிந்து கொண்டால் மட்டுமே பள்ளிகள், நிறுவனங்கள் மற்றும் பாமர மக்கள் ஏஐ தொழில்நுட்பத்தை பொறுப்புடன் கையாள முடியும் என வெளியிட்ட அறிக்கை ஒன்றில் அவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

இந்த ஏஐ தொழில்நுட்பத்தின் பயன்பாட்டை வழிநடத்த முறையான சட்ட விதிமுறை தேவை. காரணம் பொய் மற்றும் முறைகேடுகளை தவிர்க்க இது மிக அவசியம் என அவர் சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

இது தொடர்பாக சட்ட விதிமுறைகள் அமலாக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டால் மட்டுமே ஆசிரியர்கள், மாணவர்கள் மற்றும் தொழில் முனைவர்கள் இது குறித்து கருத்து வெளியிட முடியும் என அவர் சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia disaran menyeimbangkan kemajuan teknologi kecerdasan buatan (AI) dengan pendidikan menyeluruh kepada rakyat serta pelaksanaan undang-undang yang jelas dan selamat.

Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Standards Malaysia, Saral James Maniam berkata, pemahaman terhadap AI perlu diperkasa di semua peringkat agar teknologi itu dimanfaatkan secara bertanggungjawab dan tidak menjejaskan nilai kemanusiaan.

“Tak kenal, maka tak cinta. Pelajar perlu diajar cara menggunakan AI secara bijak.

"Golongan dewasa juga harus didedahkan melalui ceramah atau panduan dalam talian,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan pada Jumaat.

Beliau berkata, langkah pendidikan itu harus disusuli dengan penglibatan semua pihak dalam proses penggubalan dasar dan undang-undang berkaitan teknologi tersebut.

“Guru, pelajar, usahawan dan ibu bapa perlu diberi ruang menyuarakan pandangan. Ini penting supaya dasar AI yang dirangka benar-benar selari dengan keperluan rakyat,” katanya.

PETALING JAYA: Private online healthcare service providers, such as virtual clinics, are now required by the Health Ministry to comply with a set of guidelines that detail the standards and practices for their operations in the digital space.

Under the guidelines, these providers are prohibited from attending to emergency cases involving injury or acute illnesses.

The Health Ministry said in a circular dated May 5 that these guidelines would be an interim measure and could be a precursor to a future law to regulate the Online Healthcare Services (OHS) space.

“It is becoming apparent that healthcare policies and regulations created in an analogue age may be inadequate to cater for the often-disruptive healthcare service models in the digital age,” the guidelines said.

“Ambiguities and lacunas in the law create uncertainty for healthcare professionals, platform providers and patients alike.

“It is crucial for there to be clear standards and requirements to guide those involved in the online healthcare services industry,” the guidelines added.

According to the guidelines that came into effect on May 5, OHS can only attend to non-emergency cases; follow-up management for stable cases; group session counselling services for areas such as psychology, nutrition or rehabilitation; referral or secondary care programme by specialist or consultant; or support services such as the supply of medication, laboratory and imaging services.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Public Transport Association (4PAM) has demanded a full audit of Smart Selangor following the suspension of five bus routes in Subang Jaya, after the operator failed to submit permit applications on time and comply with licensing requirements.

Its president, Ajit Johl, described the failure to submit permit applications promptly as a lackadaisical attitude by Smart Selangor, showing a disregard for passenger safety and welfare.

He also called for heavy fines from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) as a deterrent and to remind bus operators, both under Smart Selangor and more broadly, of the importance of adhering to renewal deadlines.

"The very fact of your licence is to do this business, and that (your operator) cannot renew it, leads one to think that we should ask for a full audit of Smart Selangor," he said.

PETALING JAYA: Many Malaysian graduates are earning just enough to survive, with little to spare for saving or upward mobility, according to a new report by a labour market research group.

Future Studies Berhad said the study also dispelled the notion that tertiary education guaranteed a meaningful wage premium.

The report, titled “The ‘Gaji Cukup Makan’ Economy: When Higher Education Becomes an Economic Risk”, also finds the idea that tertiary education guarantees a better life is being increasingly challenged.

Future Studies said based on its report, the high employability rates – often exceeding over 80% – were misleading as it included all forms of employment, regardless of skill match or wage level.

“In reality, over 70% of employed graduates are in semi- and low-skilled roles, and more than 65% of degree holders earn below RM3,000 monthly,” the report read.

It said its findings highlighted a serious mismatch between qualifications and job roles, and a clear erosion in the returns on higher education investment.

“The mismatch in Malaysia leads to deeper economic vulnerability, limiting upward mobility and reducing the incentive to pursue higher education, particularly among lower-income groups.”

Future Studies said the decision to pursue higher education becomes increasingly risky, especially for low- and middle-income households who are burdened by rising education costs but see limited wage rewards.

A MANAGER sought help from Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal after he was stuck with a highly problematic vehicle.

Ramizi Bajuri, 41, was keen on a Japanese four-door sedan at a dealership in Jalan Parit Bilal, Batu Pahat, Johor.

He contacted a salesman on May 25 last year about the vehicle.

However, the salesman informed him that the car had been sold and proposed another car of the same model with a different registration plate.

“I asked the salesman about the condition of the car and he assured me that it was good,” said Ramizi.

He paid a RM3,000 deposit and submitted documents to secure a loan from the company for the car priced at RM36,313.

Ramizi also traded in his Japanese compact sedan for RM6,000.

PETALING JAYA: Consumers and stakeholders have called for the proposed Real Property Development Act (RPDA) to clearly define what constitutes mixed development, which currently lacks protection under the law.

Voicing their support for the government’s proposal to introduce the RPDA, they say it is a long-overdue effort to protect buyers of commercial and mixed-use properties.

They said mixed developments such as retail, commercial, small office/home office (Soho), small office/flexible office (Sofo) and small office/versatile office (Sovo) developments lack legal protection under the existing Housing Development Act (Act 118).

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association’s (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah, emphasised the critical need for the RPDA to clearly define what constitutes mixed development.

“The Act must clearly state what qualifies as mixed development and ensure that all such projects are fully regulated – just like residential ones.

“This clarity is essential to ensure comprehensive regulation and protection for buyers in this evolving sector of the property market,” he said in an interview yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kerajaan perlu mengkaji semula semua dasar sedia ada berkaitan perumahan mampu milik bagi memastikan setiap projek dibangunkan benar-benar menepati keperluan rakyat.

Menurut Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) langkah itu penting bagi mengelak timbulnya masalah rumah mampu milik tidak terjual.

Menurut FOMCA, definisi rumah mampu milik itu sendiri perlu diteliti semula, yang tidak harus hanya ditentukan had harga rumah semata-mata tetapi berdasarkan peratusan kemampuan kewangan sebenar rakyat di sesuatu kawasan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Dr T Saravanan, berkata satu entiti khusus seperti Majlis Perumahan Mampu Milik perlu ditubuhkan bagi menilai semula dasar dilaksanakan, membabitkan kerajaan, pemaju, pakar ekonomi dan pertubuhan pengguna.

Beliau berkata, masalah rumah tidak terjual dalam kategori harga bawah RM300,000 seperti direkodkan Jabatan Penilaian dan Perkhidmatan Harta (JPPH) menunjukkan ketidakpadanan antara apa yang ditawarkan pemaju dengan keperluan sebenar rakyat.

"Walaupun harga rumah itu diklasifikasikan sebagai mampu milik, ramai rakyat terutama dalam kalangan B40 dan M40 masih tidak mampu untuk membeli rumah ini.

PETALING JAYA: There should be loan thresholds as well as stricter criteria for taking part in buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes on top of a proposed Bill to regulate the industry, say experts.

This is because young Malaysians, they warn, are especially vulnerable to societal pressure to buy expensive goods and impulse buying, driving them into taking part in such schemes.

Putra Business School economist Assoc Prof Dr Ida Yasin said while these schemes target a broad audience, young individuals, lacking stable incomes, are particularly inclined to use them for purchasing items beyond their means.

“This can lead to a life burdened by debt,” she said.

The Consumer Credit Oversight Bureau (CCOB) Task Force reported that in 2023, 2.9 million active BNPL users were young and middle-aged adults.

In the first quarter of 2024, the total outstanding balance of BNPL schemes reached RM1.42bil.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) melahirkan kebimbangan terhadap perbezaan ketara antara harga ubat di klinik swasta dan farmasi komuniti kerana ia berisiko merosakkan kepercayaan awam terhadap sistem penjagaan kesihatan swasta.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Dr T Saravanan, berkata atas dasar itu pengambilan untung yang keterlaluan perlu dikawal dengan tegas bagi memastikan tiada pihak yang mengambil kesempatan atas situasi pengguna yang mungkin tidak mempunyai pilihan lain ketika memerlukan rawatan segera.

Beliau berkata, dalam usaha bagi menangani perkara itu, mekanisme paparan harga yang lebih telus dan mesra pengguna perlu diperkenalkan.

Katanya, ia termasuklah membangunkan portal rasmi atau aplikasi yang membolehkan orang ramai membandingkan harga ubat antara klinik dan farmasi berdekatan.

"Kita tidak mahu wujud segelintir 'bad apples' atau pemain industri yang mengenakan harga melampau dan seterusnya merosakkan kepercayaan awam terhadap sistem penjagaan kesihatan swasta.

"Dalam menghadapi situasi ini, FOMCA mencadangkan supaya pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan terhadap harga ubat di klinik swasta diperketatkan.

KUALA LUMPUR: Klinik swasta mengenakan bayaran ubat biasa dan ubat jangka panjang lebih mahal antara antara 23 peratus hingga 75 peratus berbanding farmasi komuniti.

Berdasarkan tinjauan BH, sebagai contoh klinik swasta menjual ubat paracetamol 500 miligram (mg) pada harga sekitar RM1 sebiji, tetapi ada farmasi yang menawarkan harga serendah 25 sen sebiji.

Pil salbutamol sulphate yang biasa digunakan berkaitan batuk akibat asma pula harganya sekitar RM1 sebiji di klinik swasta namun boleh dibeli di farmasi antara 25 sen hingga 45 sen sebiji.

Begitu juga ubat terkawal bagi kolesterol, atorvastatin 20mg sekotak mengandungi 30 biji yang dijual sekitar RM160 di klinik manakala RM122 di farmasi.

Satu jenama pil antiarlegik 4mg dijual di klinik pada harga RM1 sebiji tetapi diperoleh di farmasi pada harga 30 sen sebiji.

Menurut Presiden Pertubuhan Doktor-Doktor Islam Malaysia (PERDIM), Dr Boi Saidi B Abd Razak, perbezaan ketara harga ubat di kedua-dua premis itu berpunca daripada kaedah pembelian yang mana farmasi lazimnya membeli stok ubat dalam kuantiti besar sekali gus mampu mendapatkan harga lebih rendah daripada pembekal.

முட்டைகளுக்கான அரசாங்கத்தின் மானியம் நிறுத்தப்பட்டால் முட்டைகளை பயன்படுத்தும் உணவு வகைகளின் விலை உயர்வு காணும் என மலேசிய பயனீட்டாளர்கள் சங்கங்களின் சம்மேளனம் (போம்கா) எச்சரித்தது.

ஆகையால் இந்த விவகாரத்தில் அரசாங்கம் சிந்தித்து செயல்பட வேண்டும் என போம்கா தலைவர் டத்தோ டாக்டர் மாரிமுத்து நடேசன் கூறினார்.
அரசாங்கம் முட்டைகளுக்கான மானியத்தை நிறுத்தினால், ஒரு முட்டையின் விலை 10 காசாக உயரும் என பரவலாக கூறப்பட்டு வருவதாக அவர் சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

முட்டைகளின் விலை உயர்ந்தால், உணவகங்களில் முட்டைகளை பயன்படுத்தும் உணவு வகைகளான மீ வகைகள் மற்றும் கடைகளில் விற்கும் கேக் வகைகள் நிச்சயம் உயர்வு காணும் என அவர் சுட்டிக் காட்டினார்.

இந்த விலை ஏற்றும் பயனீட்டாளர்களுக்கு மேலும் சுமைகளை ஏற்படுத்தும் என அவர் தெளிவுப்படுத்தினார். முட்டைகள் தினமும் உணவகங்களில் மற்றும் வீடுகளில் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் அத்தியாவசியமான ஒரு பொருள் என அவர் நினைவுறுத்தினார்.

PETALING JAYA: Egg prices may rise by about 10 sen following the removal of government subsidies and price controls, but the increase is expected to stabilise supply and strengthen the industry, says Mydin managing director Ameer Ali Mydin.

Ameer said the slight increase was part of the transition to a healthier, market-driven system that would ultimately reduce shortages and create a more resilient egg industry.

“Since there’s no price control, the prices of eggs would probably go up by 10 sen and eventually, when there’s more supply in the market, the prices will stabilise,” he told FMT.

The government reduced subsidies from 10 sen to 5 sen per egg yesterday, with full removal and the end of price ceilings scheduled for Aug 1, 2025.

Egg prices are currently capped at 42 sen (Grade A), 40 sen (Grade B) and 38 sen (Grade C) per egg.

SHAH ALAM - Demi menggalakkan pasaran ubat yang lebih adil dan terbuka, kerajaan digesa mempertimbangkan mekanisme preskripsi ubat oleh klinik swasta supaya pengguna boleh memilih untuk membeli ubat di farmasi berdasarkan kemampuan mereka.

Ketua Pegawai Operasi Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Nur Asyikin Aminuddin berkata, dengan memberi pilihan kepada pengguna, ia akan meningkatkan ketelusan harga ubat memandangkan farmasi bersaing untuk menawarkan harga terbaik.

Menurutnya, langkah ini juga dapat mengurangkan potensi sesetengah penyedia rawatan mengenakan caj harga berlebihan.

“Memandangkan kerajaan baru-baru ini mula memberi perhatian serius terhadap isu inflasi perubatan, langkah memperkenalkan mekanisme preskripsi ubat yang lebih terbuka boleh menjadi sebahagian daripada reformasi sistem kesihatan.

“Ini sejajar dengan matlamat untuk memastikan perkhidmatan kesihatan kekal mampu milik, adil, dan mudah diakses oleh semua lapisan masyarakat,” katanya.

Jelasnya, pada masa ini, kebanyakan klinik swasta bukan sahaja membuat diagnosis, malah turut membekalkan dan menjual ubat terus kepada pesakit.

“Ini berbeza dengan amalan di banyak negara lain yang lebih mengutamakan perlindungan pengguna, di mana preskripsi dikeluarkan oleh doktor dan pesakit mempunyai pilihan untuk membeli ubat dari farmasi berdasarkan pertimbangan harga dan kemampuan,” ulasnya.