KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) assured Malaysians that there will be no increase in food and beverage prices at mamak restaurants following the announcement of unsubsidised diesel prices at RM3.35 per litre starting midnight yesterday.
Presma president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan told Scoop that over 4,000 of its members nationwide are able to keep their current prices for customers.
“For now, there is no price increment. That is certain, as it is Presma’s policy because we care.
“For the time being, it is still under control. We haven’t made any decisions yet, if there is any discussion about us raising prices,” he said.
Following that, he reminded all Presma members not to use the excuse of diesel price hikes to raise the selling prices of food and beverages at their premises.
“(For business owners) do not link (the price increment) of diesel to raise (food and beverage prices).
“(For now), we (Presma) will wait and see what steps the Madani government will take to safeguard our (business owners’) welfare as well,” he said.
On Sunday, Scoop reported that the retail price of diesel at all petrol stations in Peninsular Malaysia was set at RM3.35 per litre, effective midnight, as part of the government’s targeted subsidy implementation.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said that the price for diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan remains at RM2.15 per litre.
After the announcement, the majority of netizens expressed their concerns about the possibility of price increments in food and beverages, as some business owners will take advantage of it by claiming that transport costs have increased.
Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association deputy secretary-general Nur Asyikin Aminuddin advised consumers to file complaints with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry if business owners raise their prices excessively.
According to her, business owners should not take advantage of the increase in diesel prices by doubling the prices for food and beverages, and if caught, they can be investigated under the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act 2011.
“If consumers find that the prices are unreasonable, they can gather information about the shop along with pictures of the price list as evidence.
“Consumers can make complaints through social media platforms or contact the provided hotline.
“For business owners, understand your responsibility. If you raise prices haphazardly, you will be investigated under existing laws,” she said. – June 11, 2024