IT is indeed disheartening for consumers to learn that the prices of basic food items such as chicken and eggs are likely to increase after Feb 4 especially since they are already forking out more now for fruits, vegetables and fish.
The Federation of Consumers Associations Malaysia (Fomca) has been and will continue to raise the issue of high prices of food and other basic essentials and how they affect consumers, particularly those in the low income category. These consumers are especially impacted by high food prices because a substantial part of their household income is spent on food. We have consistently stressed on the fact that high food prices are caused by price manipulation and the abuse of the Approved Permit (AP) system.