GEORGE TOWN, Jan 27 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Livelihoods (KPDN) has assured consumers that prices of essential goods in Penang remain stable, denying reports of sharp price hikes ahead of Thaipusam and Lunar New Year.
State KPDN director S. Jagan said the ministry, through the ‘Price Catcher’ initiative, is monitoring the prices of 41 varieties of vegetables in 45 public markets, 13 hypermarkets and 18 supermarkets, including those that are reportedly subject to price hikes.
“Analysis shows that most items, such as tomatoes, ginger, lady’s fingers, cauliflower, long beans, cabbage and carrots, have seen only slight changes and remain within reasonable price ranges. In fact, prices for some items have declined compared to the previous month,” he said in a statement today.
He was commenting on the Penang Hindu Association (PHA)’s concerns over the rising prices of basic food items ahead of the festive season following consumer complaints.
PHA chairman Datuk P. Murguia reportedly said that the association’s survey of several retail outlets and wet markets on January 26 found that the prices of 15 major essential items had increased by 14 to 100 per cent in the last month.
Mr Jagan refuted these claims, saying, for example, the average retail price of tomatoes has only increased from RM6.56 per kg in December to RM7.28 per kg in January 2026.
Meanwhile, ginger prices remained stable at around RM9.80 per kg, while lady’s finger and cauliflower prices actually declined significantly, from RM13.10 to RM9.99 and RM10.24 to RM8.82, respectively.
Regarding PHA’s claim of up to 100 per cent increase in large mangoes, brinjals and moringa, he clarified that these items are not monitored on a daily basis. Nevertheless, the current check found the price to be within the normal market range.
He assured the public that the state’s KPDN enforcement department will intensify daily inspections at all public markets, morning and night markets, and supermarkets to ensure that traders comply with the law.
He warned that traders who violate the Price Control and Anti-Adverse Practices Act 2011, the Supply Management Act 1961, the Measures Act 1972 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999 will face strict action.
Finally, he urged consumers to use the mobile app Price Catcher to compare prices before shopping to avoid being fooled by unscrupulous traders.
— Bernama
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