The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has announced that the government will remove the ceiling prices for chicken and chicken eggs, as well as subsidies for bottled cooking oil (2kg, 3kg, and 5kg). This is set to begin from 1 July 2022. 

With the removal of the ceiling price, the price of chickens is expected to range between RM10 and RM12 per kg. This is in comparison to the currently controlled price of RM8.90 per kg for standard chicken, and RM9.90 per kg for super whole chicken in Peninsular Malaysia.

“Chicken prices will be floated and will depend on market forces. The needy group will be assisted later with targeted financial aid,” said the minister of KPDNHEP, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who added that details on the assistance will be provided by the Ministry of Finance at a later date.

On the removal of subsidies for bottled cooking oil, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi highlighted that the current subsidies have reached RM20 million a month. For context, the government had enforced a maximum retail price for bottled palm cooking oil back in August 2021. It capped the prices of bottled cooking oil at RM6.70 (1kg), RM12.70 (2kg), RM18.70 (3kg), and RM29.70 (5kg). 

“This was a temporary programme and should have been implemented for three months but it went on until today. The government feels it is time to abolish it and focus more on helping the needy,” the minister added. Meanwhile, it is noted that the government will continue to subsidise cooking oil in polybag packages (1kg), which is priced at RM2.50 per unit.  

Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi further said that ultimately, this decision to remove the ceiling prices for chicken and eggs, as well as the subsidies for bottled cooking oil is to ensure adequate food supplies in the country. It also serves to stabilise food prices in the long run.

Finally, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stressed that the government will remain committed to addressing the price and supply issues. “The ministry (KPDNHEP) will continue to increase its efforts to help reduce the burden of the people, and will not hesitate to enforce existing laws under the jurisdiction of the ministry, such as the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act 2011 and the Control of Supply Act 1961, to ensure that the price and supply issues are under control,” he said. 

(Sources: Malay Mail, The Edge Markets, Ministry of Domestic Trade And Consumer Affairs) 

• TAGS:
• Bottled Cooking Oil Subsidies
• Chicken Ceiling Price
• Chicken Eggs Ceiling Price
• Chicken Price
• Control Of Supply Act 1961
• Cooking Oil Subsidies
• Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi
• KPDNHEP
• Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
• Price Control And Anti Profiteering Act 2011