Total Integrated Effort Needs To Be Mobilised To Clamp Down F&B Prices, Says Minister

Malaysia’s inflation rate, as announced by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) recently, eased to 3.8% in December 2022 compared to 4.0% the previous month, and although the rate is declining, prices out of home food and beverages (F&B) or those sold at restaurants and hotels have not abated marking a 7.4% increase in December 2022 vs 7.0% of the previous month.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said in light of this price category remaining an issue, he welcomes the views of the President of the Entrepreneurs Association Malaysian Muslim Restaurant (PRESMA), Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan on the role that should be played by the government, traders and consumers in dealing with the increase in food and beverage prices as stated in AWANI’s Triangular Dialogue programme yesterday.

“Jawahar’s view is in line with the Government’s standpoint in that the consumers have to be aware of the increase in prices in purchasing such items and wisely choose shops and restaurants that offer more affordable prices,” Rafizi said in statement today (Jan 27), adding, efforts to curb inflation require all parties to mobilise as an integrated force.

He added that while the government increases access to price information which can help consumers buy from less expensive retailers along with the average prices in the segment, he was also aware of the challenges faced by restaurant operators in facing cost increases, such as cost of employing workers due to the implementation of the RM1,500 minimum wage.

There are several steps that are being refined for implementation to help retailers and restaurateurs deal with the rising costs they bear, including potential spill overs from the part-time workforce model (gig workforce) in the restaurant and F&B sectors, he said.

“In part, the effort to harmonise the labour market with the demands of the economic sector, is being looked into under the comprehensive effort to which is part of the effort to restructure the country’s economy.”

Rafizi added he will meet with the representatives of the restaurant operators and food traders to discuss bilateral measures that need to be taken into account together by the government and these operators in the near future.

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