Muhyiddin (centre) inspects the price of onion during his surprise check at Econsave supermarket in Kajang. — Bernama photo
KAJANG: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants consumerism awareness and education be raised to encourage consumers to choose supermarkets and shops that offer goods at reasonable prices.
“I find that consumers who are observant of cheaper price offers benefit from choosing to shop at outlets that offer much lower prices for goods than at others.
He stressed: “Consumer education and awareness is important because if we purchase things according to our usual inclinations, we will face problems.”
During his suprise checks on prices of goods at a number of locations yesterday, Muhyiddin found that not all consumers complained about the slight increase in prices of goods as they could choose to patronise outlets that offered the same goods at lower prices.
“Such outlets include Mydin and Econsave and Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M),” he said after making the price checks at Mydin Hypermarket Seremban 2 and KR1M in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan and at the Econsave Supermarket in Kajang, Selangor.
Accompanying him were Domestice Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Muhyiddin also urged the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry as well as consumer associations to organise educational progammes for consumers.
“We will assist them with a small allocation in their efforts to raise consumerism awareness so that people will choose to buy goods at outlets that offer lower prices in tackling the rising cost of living,” he said.
In a related development, Muhyiddin said the process of rating shops that offered fair prices would be expedited, with focus on those offering lower prices than others, besides adhering to the laws and regulations.
“The government has not decided on the kind of incentive to be given to such outlets as it is still thinking about it.
“Perhaps we can promote these outlets … when they are listed on the (fair price) list, the participants of this programme will benefit from the promotional effort,” he said. — Bernama