Consumers in Penang set for steep price hikes ahead of Deepavali

 

FMT:

Consumers in Penang set

for steep price hikes ahead

of Deepavali

Predeep Nambiar

-16 Oct 2024, 04:18 PM

The Penang Hindu Association finds a hike in the prices of numerous items used in Indian-related dishes.

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The Penang Hindu Association said the price of black pepper has risen by 111% from RM18/kg to RM38/kg and the price of tamarind has increased 100% to RM14/kg in less than a year. (Pixabay pic)

GEORGE TOWN: 

A survey of prices by the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has revealed substantial increases in the cost of 19 staple items ahead of Deepavali on Oct 31, with some recording hikes of up to 250%.

PHA, which compared prices from last November with those this month, said the price of cumin seeds in Penang has surged by 192% from RM13/kg to RM38/kg and garlic prices have more than doubled after increasing by 133% from RM6/kg to RM14/kg.

The price of black pepper has risen by 111% from RM18/kg to RM38/kg and the price of tamarind has increased 100% to RM14/kg. Even staples like rice flour have not been spared, increasing by 50%.

Cardamom, a crucial spice for many Indian festive dishes, has seen the most significant jump, soaring from RM40/kg to RM140/kg this year — a 250% increase.

P Murugiah.

Other items have experienced smaller but significant increases. Gram flour has gone up by 50% to RM7.50/kg, while chilli powder and turmeric powder have risen by 75% and 35% to RM7/250g and RM5.40/250g respectively.

PHA president P Murugiah called on the government to intervene, asking domestic trade and cost of living officers to carry out random checks to prevent importers, wholesalers and retailers from arbitrarily inflating prices.

The rising cost of essential goods is forcing families to reconsider their spending and many are likely to cut back on their festive preparations,

 he said.

Murugiah also called for 

seasonal austerity

 and prudent spending, advising consumers not to borrow money to cover festival expenses, especially from unregulated lenders.

Earlier today, domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said his ministry would announce the items under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme in conjunction with Deepavali soon.

Astro Awani said the ministry was finalising the items to be listed under the scheme.