KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The revocation of subsidy for the all- purpose 25kg-bag wheat flour, announced by the government today, will not affect the small traders who sell wheat flour-based foods.
Deputy President of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said this was because, small businesses can get the one kilo bag of flour which will still be subsidised, with its retail price remaining at RM1.35.
"Petty traders who sell wheat flour-based foods are urged to buy flour in bulk at the supermarket or grocery wholesalers following the abolition of the subsidy.
"They can buy wheat flour at wholesale supermarkets at a low price and there is no issue of losses being incurred by the abolition of subsidies for 25 kg bags," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
He was commenting on the statement by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry today regarding the revoking of subsidy for the 25 kg bag of all-purpose wheat flour, because most households hardly purchased the flour in 25 kg bags.
FOMCA supports the revocation of the subsidy on 25 kg flour bags, said Mohd Yusof.
"Subsidies should be enjoyed by consumers for their own use and not to conduct business for profit.
"It is unfair to consumers when they have to pay higher food prices despite shop owners buying the flour at a subsidised rate," he said.
A similar opinion was shared by the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chairman, Datuk Nazim Johan, who hoped traders selling wheat flour-based food do not raise prices for their food items.
"Do not make the subsidy revocation a reason to raise the price of roti canai, bread loaf or noodles because the existing profit is sufficient," he said.
Sumber : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1220980
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