In a report in The Star, Liang said he was recently charged 70 sen for a glass of water at a restaurant on Jalan Alor, and asked the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism ministry to explain its apparent lack of action on the issue.
“Other restaurants only charge 30 sen while some give it for free.
“The ministry must explain its weakness in taking enforcement action,” he was quoted as saying during question time in the Dewan Rakyat.
In the report, Liang added that the restaurant was not even air-conditioned, and that he had been served by foreign workers.
Liang’s remarks follow those of Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) chief executive Paul Selvaraj, who said on Mar 24 that the government should reveal the mechanism used to control the prices of basic items.
He said the government should also make full use of the Anti-Profiteering Act to crack down on traders who take advantage and raise prices when prices for basic items go up.
Responding to Liang today, Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Henry Sum Agong said price control and anti-profiteering laws covered all items listed under the law at all locations, The Star reported.
He also attributed the price hike of certain goods to additional costs incurred such as transport fees, the report said.