It only costs 35 sen to prepare a glass of teh-tarik and by selling it between 80 sen and RM1, traders can still make a profit of more than 60 percent, said a Kedah state official today.

State industry, transport, consumers and foreign workers committee chairperson Chong Itt Chewsaid this was revealed in a study on the cost of food and drinks by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry's Supply Unit in Kedah.

"Traders should not, whimsically, raise prices of food and drinks by giving the hike in fuel prices as an excuse," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Chong said the state enforcement division of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had conducted checks at 2,547 premises since the hike in fuel prices and action was taken against 29 premises for raising prices of food and drinks and four premises for not displaying price tags.

He added that goods worth RM3,949.15 were seized and compound fines totalling RM2,858 had been collected.

Bus fare surcharge

Meanwhile in Putrajaya, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin today lauded bus operators who decided to remove a 10 percent surcharge on their fares.

He urged the public to report to his ministry on whether this is implemented on the ground.

He said if bus companies declared to the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) that they would not impose the surcharge when in actual fact they did, then it was ground for their permits to be revoked.

"There are innovative ways for them to deal with the recent fuel price increase and as long as it doesn't involve asking for RM1 subsidised diesel or hiking fares, it's all right with me," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

It was reported that 231 bus operators had to indicate to the CVLB whether or not they were capable of operating without raising their fares.

Mohamed Khaled said express and stage bus operators must keep their house in order if they wanted to remain afloat.

The minister said some bus companies were affected by the fuel hike because they did not manage their operations well such as purchasing expensive buses with not that many seats.

"We did say improve your service but we did not say what type of buses to buy. And service is not only the bus. It includes a friendly atmosphere, the way you drive, tid-bits, television and so on," he said referring to express buses.

Mohamed Khaled said the government wanted genuine entrepreneurs to be involved in the industry rather than those who merely grabbed the opportunity to get the permits.