COST OF LIVING COUNCIL

the party president (Najib) has agreed to form the council as suggested,” he said.

Hamzah said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Cost of Living Committee chairman, instructed him to focus on factors contributing to inflation.

The Umno Supreme Council member said these factors involved housing, transportation, utilities, and food and beverages.

Hamzah said Najib had agreed to not increase prices of basic necessities such as sugar, flour, cooking oil, rice and cooking gas (LPG).

“This is because the party president feels this will help the people. We can afford to give subsidies for basic necessities. The government has spent RM2 billion a year.

“The prime minister has also agreed to create a People’s Sales Programme to help consumers buy goods at lower prices.

“He (Najib) also agreed that the programme be championed by (Umno) division leaders nationwide. We will use this programme to stop all negative perceptions created by the opposition,” he said.

On fresh food — such as fish, chicken, meat and vegetables — Hamzah said the government, through the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry would go after middlemen who increased prices at will.

To curb the problem, he said, the Price Control and AntiProfiteering Act 2011 would be amended.

For items like onions, chillies, potatoes and spices, Hamzah said the ministry would help consumers by opening more 1Malaysia People’s Shop 2.0 outlets.

PIC BY LUQMAN HAKIM ZUBIR Delegates from Wanita Umno overcome with emotion on the last day of the 71st Umno General Assembly.

AIZUDDIN SAAD PIC BY Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin winding up the debate on the last day of the 71st Umno General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.