2 ministries to table new law to curb profiteering
BAGAN DATUK: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, and the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministries have been instructed to discuss and table a new law to control unscrupulous middlemen, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“While laws, including the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, are sufficient, they don’t cover prices set by middlemen or ‘cartels’.
“I have instructed the two ministries to discuss a new law that can monitor prices set by middlemen, who manipulate the market’s supply-and-demand factor. This will allow us to curb profiteering.
“The interest of the people must be given priority as the increasing prices of items, (which lead to) high cost of living, is a common issue among Malaysians.”
He said this during the hand over of 126 cows to be slaughtered for Hari Raya Aidiladha to representatives of government agencies, residents’ committees and non-governmental organisations here.
On another matter, Zahid said Malaysia urged Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi to resolve the Rohingya conflict.
He said Suu Kyi must take measures to restore order and clear her name following attacks on the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine State.
“The international community has repeated its warning, with the United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as well as Muslim countries extending aid to the Rohingya, but the problem persists.
“I hope this matter is handled seriously without double-standards on religion. Humanitarian issues should not be made into religious or political issues.
“It must be addressed once and for all. Malaysia doesn’t intend to be a receiving country for refugees as it would lead to an influx of Rohingya here. We are working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that refugee cards are not issued indiscriminately.”
The government’s stand on refugees, said Zahid, was not due to a lack of compassion but rather based on priority, which should be placed on Malaysians and their wellbeing.
AFP reported that some 2,000 displaced Rohingya women and children had gathered at Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh but had been denied entry into that country, and left without shelter.