PARLIAMENT The Real Estate And Housing Developers Association (Rehda) has never issued a statement on raising house prices by up to 10 percent, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Hasan Malek said today.      

He said Rehda had provided proof to the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) that they had not issued such a statement and had given an assurance they were not involved in any cartel.   

“If MyCC detects any complicity among housing developers, stern action will be immediately taken under the Competition Act 2010 as it is a matter of public interest,” he said in response to a question by Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling), at the Dewan Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur today.      

Abdul Azeez had enquired about the steps taken by the government in curbing indiscriminate price hikes by irresponsible parties who were taking advantage of the reduction in petrol subsidies and a statement by housing developers intending to increase house prices for the same reason.     

Hasan replied that among the steps taken were the continuation of Ops Harga 2013, issuance of notices under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, dialogue with the industries involved and festive season price control schemes.    

- Bernama