Food basics going up in price
Today’s The Sun had this piece of news on its front page. The subsidies which the government is currently providing for flour, sugar and bread will likely not be extended post 2009.
As a result of this, flour which is currently priced at RM1.35/kg will likely cost RM2/kg. Coarse and fine sugar will each cost RM2.05/kg as opposed to RM1.45/kg and RM1.55/kg respectively. My all time favourite food – bread will go up from RM2.10/ 400g to RM2.42/ 400g.
While we see the few cents increase as minimal, in percentage terms, it is increasing by a good 40+%! I am sure when this actually comes into play, our cost for cakes, bread, kuih etc. will all go up in prices. This has not included the increase in fuel prices in September when all the RONs go up.
How much will our cost of living be then? I am sure many of us are already struggling to keep our expenses in place in view of the current economic uncertainty.
To be honest, I am a little disappointed with the government’s move on these basic necessities although it did say that government is looking into ways to see how the lower income group will still enjoy the low prices.
Although I hate to be cynical, I seem to recall the government saying this every time there is an increase in something? The last I remember, the same line was used during the fuel price hike, when the public transport wanted to increase charges and now this. What about the rest of us? I really hope the government thinks about this properly before lifting the subsidies.
