JASIN: Malaysians must be prepared for the possibility of price hikes involving chicken that could happen early next month after the Keluarga Malaysia Maximum Price Control Scheme ends, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).

       The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister said this was because many poultry farmers are burdened with hikes in operating costs and imported animal feed.

       Nevertheless, Nanta assured that the potential price hikes would not burden Malaysians, saying that the ministry is looking for the best mechanism in cooperation with the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry to stabilise retail prices of food.

       "Right now, the ceiling price for chicken until Feb 4 is RM9.10 per kg among grocers and that is why on Thursday (Jan 6), we were discussing reasons causing operating costs involving poultry farmers to rise," he said.

       Nanta was speaking to reporters after meeting flood victims at the Sungai Rambai temporary resettlement centre (PPS) at a school nearby on Friday (Jan 7).

       Nanta said any decision made by the authorities will take into consideration issues faced not just by Malaysians, but also poultry farmers.

       "If they could not resume their operations, we could be out of food supplies.

       "So, we must be sensitive and I would like to appeal to Malaysians to understand the situation," he said.

       As part of Putrajaya's efforts to stabilise prices of necessities, it launched the Keluarga Malaysia Maximum Price Control Scheme in Dec 7 last year.

       The scheme, which imposes price controls on daily essentials including chicken, eggs, and vegetables, has been extended till Feb 4 this year.