Ramly Burger, ice supplier postpone price hike - minister

Frozen food manufacturer Ramly Burger and ice supplier Sim Yang Hok Industries have agreed to postpone price hikes after being called by the government to explain their rationale.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said that in a meeting last Tuesday, both companies were told to consult the ministry before any price adjustments.

“The companies made the announcement on Tuesday (July 1), stating that the price hike would be postponed.

“We have advised that if the matter is true, they must submit the necessary information as stipulated under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” he said.

Armizan was speaking to reporters after attending the Strategic Partner Appreciation Ceremony in conjunction with the ministry’s Enforcement Day celebration in Putrajaya today.

He said the two companies clarified that the price hike was not related to the revised Sales and Services Tax (SST) rate but was instead due to higher operating costs.

Claims that Sim Yang Hok Industries would raise the price of ice from RM3.70 to RM6 a block, and that Ramly Burger raised prices by 10 percent effective July 1, recently went viral.

Armizan said the ice supplier dismissed the viral post linking the price increase to the expansion of the SST, describing it as false, and had lodged a police report.

“Ramly Burger has been issued a Goods Information Verification Notice under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to review the grounds for the proposed price revision of its products,” he added.

Armizan stressed that his ministry would enhance its monitoring and carry out investigations to curb profiteering and ensure that consumers are not burdened.

- Bernama

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