DELEGATE CALLS ON AGENCIES TO TAKE ACTION

FT delegate wants authorities to use laws to discourage profiteering

KUALA LUMPUR

ADELEGATE from the Federal Territory Umno yesterday raised concern that the party might lose the people’s support if the government was unable to control the prices of goods.

Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar, from Bandar Tun Razak Umno division, said the people, as well as Umno members at the grassroots level, were dissatisfied with the spiraling prices of certain essential goods.

“Umno members are also affected by the increase of prices of goods, but because of the party and the wala (loyalty) principle, we have been enduring this.

“But, they will express their dissatisfaction through their votes.

“This is the reality that we cannot deny. I am worried that this matter, if not handled effectively, will bring disaster to us. This is not something to be taken lightly and must be addressed immediately. This issue could be a time bomb for the government.”

He hoped the respective ministry and agencies would take action.

“If the middlemen are the ones causing the price increase... if the traders are increasing prices to make more profit... jihadlah (fight them). Use existing laws and charge them. This will teach them a lesson. The people are watching every step that we take.” Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak with his copy of ‘BH 60 Tahun’ during a visit to the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd operations room yesterday. With him are (from left) Media Prima group chairman Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, NSTP chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid, ‘Berita Harian’ executive editor (news, features and digital) Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, who earlier presented Najib with a copy of the book, and Media Prima group managing director Datuk Kamal Khalid.

If the traders are increasing prices to make more profit... ‘jihadlah’.