We can’t force price cuts, says Shahrir

Thursday November 20, 2008

THERE is nothing much the Govern- ment can do to ensure traders cut prices following the drop in fuel prices, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad. He said those who could afford to cut prices were hypermarkets with their greater purchasing power and this mostly benefited consumers in urban areas.

“We can only encourage and ask for the cooperation of small traders and business owners to take part in the price reduction campaign and cut prices of controlled items. We cannot force them to do it because what they are selling are not controlled items,” he said. As for restaurants and small traders, Shahrir said that besides fuel prices, there were other factors which affected the pricing of their products.

“Even if there is a price cut, consumers will have to wait until these products are produced using cheaper materials before they can enjoy lower prices,” he said when replying to Hamim Samuri (BN – Ledang) on the progress of the National Council on the Price of Goods yesterday.