COMMENT | Cut out the middlemen for cheaper goods

COMMENT | When Shihan Mohd Salim, who owns Anak Mami Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah was fined RM30,00o by the Sessions Court in 2018 for pricing iced Milo at RM3.20, it sent shock waves in the food and beverage fraternity.

He was charged under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 for failing to provide full pricing details and receipts for beverages between January 2015 and March 2016.

Shihan was also accused of failing to show itemised charges for the ingredients - Milo powder, milk and ice beside the drink’s price tag during seven working days, the New Straits Times then reported.

Last week, the Court of Appeal allowed his appeal against his conviction and fine and perhaps it would be a timely lesson for politicians who cry “we will take action against profiteers”.

The slogan can only be described as an over-used cliché and has done little to stabilise let alone bring down soaring prices of consumer goods.

Such slogans will never appease the consumers who now have to dig deeper into their pockets and for food, as there is little anyone including the government, can do about rising prices.

In April, I wrote...