Mohamad, or Tok Mat as he is often called, said the public was especially burdened by the hike in prices of raw food.

He called for Putrajaya to immediately enhance its initiatives to monitor the cost of food items and other basic necessities, saying it should align with the public’s purchasing power.

“Many Malaysians have lost their livelihoods due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The purchasing power of the people is at a critical point.

“Without government intervention, not only will they be poor, but they will also live in hunger,” he said in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysians in urban areas should be encouraged to create “edible gardens” in their homes.

“This will reduce their cost of living and grant them access to a fresh supply of vegetables without the risk of being exposed to the virus in supermarkets,” he added.

The Rantau assemblyman from Negeri Sembilan also suggested that the government consider issuing food stamps or grocery vouchers, saying it could reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families while generating income for traders, grocery store operators and restaurants.

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