SANDAKAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman has assured that the government will be monitoring the action of certain parties who have illegally raised the prices of goods from time to time.
According to Musa, the recent increment of prices in the market was due in part to the existence of middlemen who are trying to gain extra profits.
He said irresponsible middlemen who are greedy for more profits are burdening consumers.
“The rise in food prices now is not only caused by the hike in fuel prices and electricity tariff but I can also seen the elements of the middlemen in trying to reap extraordinary profits.
“We can see there are elements showing that the ‘middlemen’ are increasing the prices of goods at will to up to hundreds of per cent, for example, a kilogramme of tiger prawn could reach up to RM120,” he said.
Not only will the actions of these irresponsible parties be monitored, but the issue will also be brought to the Cabinet Meeting and be conveyed to the Prime Minister, Musa told reporters after meeting with the village chiefs, branch chiefs and Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Sungai Sibuga in Sri Libaran here yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, who is also Sungai Sibuga assemblyman, encouraged branch heads and Umno members who possess land to be active in farming as it could benefit them in various ways, in terms of reducing their financial burden following the increasing cost of living today.
“In this matter, the government is always ready to help by providing seeds and fertilisers or whatever else that farmers and fishermen need in order to increase their yield and thus, reduce the people’s burden,” he said.
Musa also reminded grassroots leaders as well as Umno members in the area to strengthen unity in fighting for the party.
“In conjunction with the New Year, we have to instill a new spirit and commitment to make Umno stronger, and more importantly, we must continue working with sincerity and honesty,” he said.
Musa also said they welcomed the message from Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the implementation of KPI in the division and branch levels, and described it as a good step in ensuring that a branch functions well and smoothly.
Around 100 people, including the branch heads, village chiefs and JKKK of Sungai Sibuga attended the ceremony.
Also present were Libaran member of parliament cum Libaran Umno Deputy Chief Datuk Juslie Haji Ajirol, Libaran Wanita Umno chief Datuk Armani Haji Mahiruddin, Libaran UMNO Youth Head Rizan Aziz and Sandakan Municipal Council deputy president Haji Hamsan Awang Supain.