A visit to the local wet market is enough to give you palpitations. Prices of vegetables and fruit have soared, perhaps by as much as a third over the last few years. One news report even said that the price of kangkung rose in December 2013.
The higher prices of basic foodstuff, along with the overall higher cost of living, is a major issue in the Kajang by-election. In an Umcedel survey, 69 per cent of respondents in Kajang reportedly felt that the increasing cost of living would raise support for Pakatan Rakyat.
This may be a fair reflection of sentiment across the country and could favour opposition parties. The soaring price of produce, along with higher property and motor vehicle prices, has emptied the pockets of low-income and even middle-class households. In coffee-shops and private homes, friends and relatives huddle together and grumble about the latest price increases in the local wet market.
Soaring food prices are a symptom of something deeper at work and signals that all is not well with the economy, which is also exposed to global forces.
This article will discuss some possible reasons why people are feeling burdened despite fairly rosy GDP growth figures.
Full article on the Aliran website.
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Food prices are always relative to our standards of living. Food prices have always been beyond the reach of the poor. It has never been any different in times gone by to the present day if thats what the article wishes to convey to its readers. Choices are what matter. If people want meat thrice a week then they had better be able to afford to pay for their choice to eat meat. If people wish to eat only vegetable then they ought to choose their vegetables carefully or chose between vendors whose prices differ till they get the one… Read more »
GST will make our life even more miserable!
By the results of Teluk Intan by-elction, 50% of Teluk Intan people do not think so!
The proposed delisting of Bernas would place the country’s food security in the hands Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary and harm the Bumiputera involved in the rice industry!
Yes, food price is getting higher. But on the other hand, at least 200 tons of good food is throwing away DAILY in Malaysia because – looks not appealing – Good looking Vege/fruit are selectively put on self, to fetch higher price, in the expense of consumer of the throw away parts – Most retails/hawker/pasar store owner REFUSE to sell vege/fruit according to the looks/fresh level. Most cannot afford to put the perishable item into fridge. At the end, small store owner will rather MARK UP THE PRICE of still edible stuff and THROW AWAY those “not good looking” or… Read more »
Greed has no limits. It is going to get a lot worse. As we innocently discuss specific grieviances, “democratic” and “advanced” countries are drawing others into a trap. They are holding secret talks on the TPP, a “trade” super-treaty that practically means surrendering national sovreignty. Governments will be prevented from protecting rights or preventing destruction – however glaring – as long as such action may reduce profit for a multi-national. Those who have access to details of the talks include around 660 VIP business persons. Those excluded inlude most legisators, NGOs, etc. Despite protests even in “advanced” countries (in some… Read more »
Shahrizat’s family can supply lembu kondo 1Malaysia for RM1/kg?
Yet some still believe Najib that a chicken can be bought for RM1?
Maybe before Merdeka? What say you Yang?
Sure Najib can buy chicken at RM1.00 just like LGE can buy a Mercedes L for 320k half the price of 600 over k.
The neoliberal system of privatisation that favours Big Business – reducing corporate tax rates for the wealthy, cutting subsidies, and privatisation of essential services – has resulted in higher tariffs that have weighed down on the people. Add to that, a stagnant & repressed salary adds to the woes of the workers & their families. Neoliberal + free market so good & reverent it has no tainted reasons to be managed properly by those in power? One thing for sure, corporate interest weights favourably in the mind$et of politicians & political system that promise many things but backtrack to no… Read more »
May be the people can now upgrade their lives and turn to buying the 1 dollar chicken the PM showed you !
Many of the people are being misled by the opposition that the BN govt is at fault for the increase in food prices. Actually it is not so. Just a short while ago I was having dinner at a coffee shop and I ask the food stall owner why such a drastic increase in food prices. I told him the govt only increase petrol, electricity and sugar by about 10-20 % but you have increase your food so drastic this time. You are still ignorant. Due to the DAP LGE control of property prices shop and residences are now selling… Read more »
Malaysia’s economy had gone bad (since 1965). The Ringgit was on par with Singapore dollar then. Now Yusof Ishak’s note carries 2.6 times in value compare to Tuanku Abdul Rahman’s. What happened? Over the causeway, land and people are abundance. Yet, poor. Blame LGE as well? Blame cost of property for rising cost of living, ie. state govt? If the Ringgit fetches 2.6 Singapore dollar instead, nasi lemak would only cost 50 sen a packet – the economy had been mismanaged for the past 50 years. wake up Malaysians. put useful and intellegent leaders in our govt and kick out… Read more »