LETTER | Now that the six state elections are over and done with, the government must get back to refocusing its efforts on how to manage the rising cost of living which continues to plague the people, especially those vulnerable groups who have yet to get back on their feet after the Covid-19 pandemic.

If I can remember, tackling high living costs is the first immediate resolve promised by the present Pakatan Harapan-BN unity government when it took over power about eight months ago.

These “symbolic” move, of course, portrays that the government is sensitive to the plight of ordinary citizens.

If I am not wrong, Anwar Ibrahim wasted no time to say that a special meeting on the cost of living must be held immediately.

That was on the first day he clocked in as prime minister and the next few days, he chaired the National Action Council on the Cost Of Living, attended by top officers of government ministries, departments and agencies. That was about eight months ago.

Too bad, until today, the rising prices of goods, food items, wet food and other essentials, continue to rein in, squeezing the already tight pockets of consumers, lessening their purchasing power.

So, the question is what exactly has been done by the relevant authorities, especially the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Ministry, throughout these eight months to alleviate the burden plaguing the people?

Of course, they understand the hard pinch we, ordinary Malaysians with the rising prices of essential goods.

They also understand price increases have made our daily budgeting and purchasing tougher and more difficult to meet.

Finding joys in simplicity like buying affordable, new clothes which are those little sacrifices we would normally make, seems to be a “foregone conclusion”, as far as my family is concerned.

Everything has become so expensive now! Since years ago, my family members, a bunch of animal lovers, make it a point to boil at least two whole chickens each day to feed not just our many pet cats but also those stray cats and dogs near our house.

My sisters, who have been doing the shopping for dog and cat kibbles, chickens and others, have been lamenting about the significant increase in prices since early this year.

From two whole chickens, we now only boil just one chicken for the cats and dogs. The prices of animal food have also gone up, much to our dismay!

On humanitarian grounds, we just can’t stop feeding those strays, even though we have to tighten our belts.

And so, I believe that after the unfortunately checkered results in state polls, the government should revisit and refocus its priority on the people.

The grumblings about the way the economy is being handled, the rising cost of living, the rise in interest rates and a host of other grievances must be addressed, if not overcome, head-on.

The cabinet committee set up to tackle the cost of living must be serious and capable enough to work out viable, effective steps to control the soaring prices of goods.

Flippant approaches to tackle the matter will not fix the problems. By right, after eight months in power, the government should have been able to address these major people-related issues to a great extent but nope, to me, it has failed miserably.

If you don’t believe me, just check on the prices of goods, especially chickens, and other food items at supermarkets or markets.

The government was reported to have said that it would review the ceiling on chicken prices after Aug 31. Until then, I guess, we just have to wait and see.

‘Enough with ridiculous advice’

But, please, don’t tell us to avoid chickens if the price is too high like what Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said months ago.

His ridiculous advice and formula will take us nowhere. This is the problem when you have a so-called economics minister who has no inkling of what is going on!

The government, via the relevant authorities, must act fast to mitigate higher costs of food items and others. It must make sure that people can buy food items and other essentials at prices that they can afford.

They must put a stop to spiralling prices and shortages of essential items such as polybag cooking oil due to hoarding and must make sure that any increase will not spiral out of control.

Work out effective ways that are within reach to fulfil the promises made to the people, including easing their burden caused by higher inflation.

This is what a good government does for its people. Always.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.