Stringent action against traders who raise prices, as the salary adjustments are unrelated to trading and business costs, said Armizan Mohd Ali, the minister of domestic trade and cost of living, Bernama reported.

Price increases in goods and services should not occur, since the government’s salary adjustments are intended to alleviate the cost of living for the public, especially civil servants.

He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will hold a special meeting with enforcement officers on Aug 23 at which he will be briefed on operations against leakage and profiteering.

The Prime Minister had warned companies and shop owners earlier today against increasing prices, particularly of food items, ahead of the civil servants’ salary adjustments, scheduled for December.