Prices of certain goods increased by over 40% since PH took over

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the abolishment of the GST and the introduction of the SST, the prices of some goods have increased by over 40% since Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over as the federal government.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen revealed that according to a study by the ministry from May to September on the prices of goods, 27% of them have seen an increase in price.
"The ministry has conducted a survey on the prices of 417 items to determine the impact of SST from May to September. We found that 70%, or 291 items, saw a price reduction, 27% (115 items) saw an increase, while 3% (11 items) did not see any changes.
"The price reduction ranges from 0.11% and 37.6%, where else the increase in prices were between 0.09% and 41.7%," he told the Dewan Rakyat, here, today.
The study by the ministry was done on items from six categories, namely packeted, canned and bottled items (159), fresh goods (136), baby food and items (49), dried goods (25), drinks (25) and cleaning items (23), he added.
Chong was responding to a question by Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN-Kapit) during the question and answer time on why prices of many items had remained the same despite the introduction of SST to replace the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
He noted that the full impact of the tax system was yet to be felt by consumers as it was only recently implemented in September.
"Since SST is only charged at the first stage of the supply chain, the impact is not yet obvious. The ministry expects prices of goods to show significant changes when the stocks that were produced beginning September hits the market," he said.
PH had on many occasions claimed the implementation of SST - which was one of its election promises - would see prices of many items dropped, and subsequently reduce the cost of living.