A group calling themselves the Anti-inflation Kedahans Association or ‘Pokai’ (meaning broke in Bahasa Malaysia), staged a peaceful demonstration today, urging the government to monitor the recent increase in price of goods.

A member of the group, Mohd Azizi Abdullah, 35, said the increase in price of food items like chicken, vegetables, red chilli and onions was too much and oppressive, especially for rural folk.

“The community in Kuala Kedah are mostly fishermen and farmers, so we really feel the price hike and it burdens us. We hope the government can continue monitoring the prices, not only during festive seasons, but throughout the year,” he said after their peaceful anti-inflation demonstration near the Alor Setar main market today.  

“Since we don’t earn much, even a slight increase in prices affects us,” he added.    

Meanwhile, a Bernama survey at the Alor Setar market found the price of chicken reduced compared with 10 days ago.

A poultry trader Johari Saad, 37, said he now sells chicken at RM7 a kilo, down from RM7.80 a kilo, 10 days ago.

“Chicken prices have never touched RM8 a kilo. Ten days ago it was very expensive as there was a shortage because a lot of birds died before slaughter. So the suppliers charged us a higher price and we had to sell it for a little more to make a profit,” he said.

Another poultry trader, Lim Chong Heng, 41, wanted the government to set a ceiling price for free range chicken as it was too high at RM11 per kilo.

A vegetable seller, V Vasudi Devi, said red chilli was really pricey, between RM10 and RM15 a kilo.  

“Maybe it’s due to the rainy season, but it’s not only expensive but quality was equally bad. Customers have been complaining, especially those celebrating Deepavali next week,” she said.

- Bernama