SIBU: The Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) calls on the government to speedily cap the price of red onions or shallots that is soaring at a record high.
“The government should subsidise the essential item as it is now fetching at RM16 per kilogramme, which is way too high.
“As every household requires this – the hike is a huge burden not only to teachers but also those in the lower income bracket in particular.
“Those in the lower income group are already struggling to make ends meet, the hike will compound their woes,” Ghani lamented.
He was expressing his concern following the hike in prices of essential items.
As the hike of goods was not in tandem with the income of people at large it will burn a hole in their pockets, he said.
On the contrary, he opined that if the government subsidised the red onions, the price of the popular household essential would be kept in check.
The pricing, he added, would be more stable, and thus better benefit the people.
Meanwhile, chairman of Sibu Petty Traders Association, Kapitan Kong Hua Kuang confirmed that the price of red onions had hiked due to insufficient supply amidst soaring demand.
He figured that the hike could be due to harvesting problem in India.
Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) Sibu branch chief Balraj Singh revealed that the crops in India had been badly affected by floods, causing the price to soar.
“Even in India, the price is going up and this is compounded by the escalating demand,” he explained, adding that red onions were sold between RM13 and RM16 per kg.
He pointed out that this was a nationwide concern and not a localised issue.
Asked on cooking oil, Balraj assured the public that there was more than enough of the item in the market.
“Therefore, people should refrain from panic buying as that could trigger an artificial shortage. There is enough for everyone,” he pointed out.