Minister welcomes Umno Youth's move to monitor prices
In rare praise by a federal minister for his party's arch-rival, Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Saifuddin Nasution has welcomed Umno Youth's offer to monitor the prices of goods.
Speaking to reporters in Penang today, Saifuddin said the move was "exemplary" and should be applauded. “This is something serious, I am not making any innuendoes, nor am I being sarcastic.
In rare praise by a federal minister for his party's arch-rival, Minister for Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Saifuddin Nasution has welcomed Umno Youth's offer to monitor the prices of goods.
Speaking to reporters in Penang today, Saifuddin said the move was "exemplary" and should be applauded. “This is something serious, I am not making any innuendoes, nor am I being sarcastic.
"I believe this is a reasonable and good effort," said Saifuddin, who is also PKR secretary-general.
"The job of the ministry under the consumer movement department is tasked with educating, raising awareness and informing consumers of their rights," added Saifuddin when met in Bayan Baru.
"Just imagine, if Umno Youth can assist us in monitoring and submitting a report to the ministry on the price of goods, it would be very helpful," he added.
Saifuddin, who is Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson and Kulim Bandar Baru MP, is on a three-day visit to Penang to look into flood mitigation issues at his constituencies.
He was asked to respond to Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki who said that the wing will form a secretariat next month to monitor the prices of various goods across the country.
"We will report our findings through the press and social media. We know the government has its own mechanism but we would like to help the minister to ensure accurate information reaches him," said Asyraf.
"We will monitor the prices every month until the government outlines a concrete plan for the rakyat to live comfortably," he said.
Saifuddin said Umno Youth's initiative to help his ministry was in line with the agenda of the National Goods Prices Council and their effort would provide the minister with extra information to do a more effective job.
"The ministry has deployed 1,400 officers to monitor 470 types of goods, and with the help from Umno Youth, these officers can do a better job and they can be more effective," Saifuddin said.
"Umno Youth's move to monitor the prices of goods especially essential items should be emulated by other sectors like youth and community groups and NGOs," he added.
