They said the price of 100kg pork cost RM700 during the Chinese New Year week but had gone up to RM1,060 on Feb 28.

Lee Peng Hock, the chairman of the KL Selangor Butchers’ Association, hit out over the 50% increase in prices, adding that this was “unprecedented”.

He called on domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi to take immediate action over this.

“In the past, the highest price for 100kg pork was only RM780,” he said at a press conference, also attended by DAP’s Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng here.

Lee said the government needed to include pork under the price control scheme like other types of meat to prevent profiteering.

“We want the price to go down to RM960 and below. The ministry should also check if farms are profiteering from this increase,” he added.

Another member, Liau Kam Yong, said consumers were at the losing end.

“The majority of our customers are hawkers and restaurant owners.

“If we increase the price, they will follow suit and diners will be affected badly.”

Lim said consumers were already reeling from the high cost of living and hoped pork prices will come down.

The MP said he plans to meet Nanta tomorrow in the Dewan Rakyat to discuss this matter further.