KUALA LUMPUR: The government has assured the people that prices of essential goods, especially subsidised items, will remain stable throughout the year.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, said the ministry's assessment indicated that prices of chicken, eggs, RON95 petrol, and diesel, are being managed.

"Prices for subsidised cooking oil sold at RM2.50 per packet is also not rising, and the price of bottled cooking oil is also not rising, and in fact, some sell it lower than the price set," he said at a press conference after inspecting the prices of goods at Econsave supermarket Setapak here on Tuesday (July 11).

Meanwhile, Salahuddin confirmed that his ministry (KPDN) had not received any complaints about price increases, and refuted allegations that prices of some goods will increase soon.

However, he urged the public to promptly report any rise in the prices of essential goods at supermarkets or grocery stores to KPDN for immediate action.

Commenting further, he did not rule out the possibility that a few parties deliberately played up the issue of price increases ahead of the six state elections covering Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan.

In response to media reports suggesting a potential 20% price increase in goods by the third quarter this year due to higher import prices, Salahuddin acknowledged the issue and assured that KPDN remains aware of the situation.

He emphasised that monitoring prices, particularly for essential items, is an ongoing task for KPDN.

Salahuddin said the ministry found through Ops Manis that the price of sugar is still stable as of the recent Hari Raya Aidiladha, and the ministry has not received any complaints about sugar shortages.

Earlier media reports had highlighted two main factors contributing to the projected price increase: imported inflation and rising business operating costs in Malaysia.