Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today visited four business premises to get a true picture of the prices of daily essentials and restaurant food.

The survey, from 8.30am, covered the Selayang NSK Supermarket, Selayang Daily Market, Snofa Mini Market in Greenwood Park and a restaurant in Taman Sri Gombak.

Accompanied by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hasan Malek and Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Muhyiddin was briefed by the traders and owners of the business premises.

The deputy prime minister also took the opportunity to chat with customers at the premises and listen to their grouses, spending about 30 minutes at each outlet.

At a news conference later, Muhyiddin said the survey was conducted to get a clearer picture of the food price situation, especially of daily necessities.

"True, the prices of some items have gone up, but I've also been told by buyers that prices of certain items have dropped. This has been a normal phenomenon (price fluctuations), and not because of my visit," he said.

Muhyiddin also praised the Selayang NSK Supermarket for selling goods at reasonable prices.

In a related development, he said the government through  Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry would give certificates of recognition and promote commercial premises nationwide which consistently offered reasonable prices of goods.

- Bernama