03/03/2025

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Shop prudently during festive season, public advised

Bazaar traders urged to donate surplus food KUCHING: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Sarawak branch is encouraging entrepreneurs at Fama-organised Ramadan bazaars to donate surplus food to those in need. State Fama director Norsalawaty Abdul Kadir said the initiative aims to minimise food waste while supporting the less fortunate. “Based on previous records, the Ramadan bazaars we organised achieved zero waste management. “To further support this, we encourage entrepreneurs to set up designated donation areas for the underprivileged. Additionally, state Fama will organise several food surplus programmes,” she said after officiating at a bazaar site recently. She added that Fama is hosting Ramadan bazaars at two locations – Medan Niaga Satok and Permai Sibu Farmers’ Market – with a target of RM2.5 million in sales and an estimated 80,000 visitors. With the theme “Mensia Marek” (a long time ago), the bazaar at Medan Niaga Satok features 72 lots, each offering a unique selection of food, with no overlapping varieties. – Bernama Malacca Fama eyes RM8m sales at markets ALOR GAJAH: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Malacca branch is targeting RM8 million in sales across eight farmers’ markets in the state throughout 2025. State Fama director Nor Azhar Abdul Hamid said as of January, the farmers’ markets recorded total sales of RM318,741, with the Alor Gajah Farmers’ Market achieving the highest sales, at RM1.63 million last year. “With various programmes, including Semarak Ramadan and the Mantai Aidilfitri Farmers’ Market, we anticipate an increase in sales. Specifically, we are targeting RM45,000 in sales from the Semarak Ramadan programme, which is being implemented at eight locations across Malacca,” he said at the state-level 40th anniversary celebration of the farmers’ market in Masjid Tanah on Saturday. He added that several essential items would be offered at special prices, including Grade C eggs at RM10 per tray, a Madani combo set comprising oil, flour, sugar, onions and potatoes at RM10, fresh meat at RM35 per kg, standard fresh chicken at RM6 per kg and local white rice at RM26 for a 10kg pack. – Bernama Ministry empowers KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry, through the Malaysian Indian Skills Initiative, is keen to strengthen local workforce participation in the golf industry by providing skills training and job guarantees for the Indian community. In a statement, AMS Caddy Academy said the initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Golf Association, aims to encourage Indian youths to venture into the golf industry while enhancing the competitiveness of local workers. The academy also announced that a graduation ceremony for a second batch of participants under the skills training with job guarantee scheme was recently held at Palm Resort Golf & Country Club, Senai in Johor. The event was attended by Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching. In the same statement, Teo said the programme provides local youths with opportunities to enter the expanding golf sector. – Bernama Indian youths in golf industry

o Be wary of promotional hype meant to trigger consumers to spend beyond means, says Fomca

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: With Ramadan here and Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaching, consumers have been advised to shop cautiously as prices of clothing tend to rise during festive periods. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief operating officer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said while inflation and rising production expenditures in the textile industry contribute to price hikes, branding plays a significant role in driving up costs. “Branding and exclusivity often inflate prices, and there have been instances in which premium-priced items failed to meet expectations, proving that a hefty price tag does not always guarantee superior quality. “Higher prices do not necessarily equate to better quality in materials, craftsmanship or durability. Well-established brands often charge a premium for their reputation, but some lower-priced options offer excellent value with high-quality fabrics and well-made designs,” she said. She added that on regular days, a baju kurung may cost about RM120, but during Ramadan and closer to Hari Raya, prices can increase by 10% to 20%. “Excessive or misleading price hikes become problematic when they make festive clothing unaffordable for many, preventing some from celebrating as they wish,” she said. While acknowledging that price increases are common before Hari Raya, Nur Asyikin stressed the need for balance between profitability and fairness. “If a brand raises prices purely for profit without a corresponding increase in quality, it is akin to exploiting consumers,” she said, adding that social media hype could create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, leading consumers to prioritise trends and social validation over quality, value or budgets.

Nur Asyikin said on regular days, a baju kurung may cost about RM120 but during Ramadan and closer to Hari Raya, prices could increase by 10% to 20%. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

presented at the committee meeting on Dec 17, 2024, confirmed that the mixing of BPT and BPI has been occurring since 1970, with no regulations in place to control the practice. To find a balanced solution for farmers, industry players and consumers, the government launched large-scale phased reforms of the padi and rice sector beginning in October 2024. Initial steps taken included restructuring governance to prevent conflicts of interest, reviewing Act 522, establishing the Malaysian Agrofood Regulatory and Enforcement Agency and empowering Mardi to use DNA technology to identify rice varieties. “The ministry hopes that these measures will receive support from all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the padi and rice industry, while keeping rice supply stable and affordable for Malaysians,” the statement added. – Bernama “I’ve seen some selling for up to RM700 for a basic design of acceptable quality. It looks fine, but RM700 is way too much,” she said. Accountant Nur Aliah Asyiqin Khairul Nizam, 24, said she prefers tailoring her Hari Raya outfits, as they are a perfect fit and come at a more affordable price compared with ready-made clothing. “I’ll be busy with work this month, so I bought my fabrics early and sent them to a tailor to have them made. “The price of fabrics varies, but I bought mine for about RM50 for four metres, which is reasonable. The tailoring service is also affordable. I’m glad I placed my order early as my tailor is now fully booked for the whole month and is no longer taking orders,” she said. She added that tailoring her festive outfits gives her peace of mind regarding quality. “I go to the same tailor every year, so I trust her workmanship compared with store-bought clothing, which can be pricier and with questionable quality. “I don’t see the need to spend too much when I’ll only wear them a few times during Hari Raya and on special occasions.”

“Brands use influencer promotions, limited-edition collections and countdowns to ‘exclusive’ releases to trigger emotional buying, often pressuring consumers into spending beyond their means,” she added. Nur Asyikin said such tactics could lead to impulsive purchases, in which consumers buy items not out of necessity but based purely on popularity. “The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act is designed to prevent unfair profiteering, especially during festive seasons. Consumers can file complaints with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry if they believe they have been overcharged,” she added. Technical support worker Noorainshafika Mohd Zaidi, 25, said she started shopping early to avoid Ramadan price hikes. “I bought my Hari Raya clothes in December because I knew that those sold in malls and markets would be more expensive during the fasting month and not worth the price,” she said, adding that she spent RM180 on her baju kurung , which she considers a fair price. However, she noted that some brands charge excessively.

Absence of law allows rice mixing practice to continue PUTRAJAYA: The Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522) lacks clear provisions to prosecute those involved in a 50-year-old practice of mixing imported white rice (BPI) and local white rice (BPT), according to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. practice by refining directives from the National Food Security Policy Cabinet Committee to develop effective measures to curb rice adulteration.

“This needs to be controlled through legislation while also drafting proposals for an appropriate pricing mechanism for mixed rice categories for the Cabinet’s consideration. “The legal framework to regulate the mixing of BPT and BPI rice also has the support of the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) as a long-term solution,” the statement read. The ministry said the special task force on local white rice (Op BPT), established by the ministry, found that the shortage of BPT was linked to structural pricing issues, including padi purchase prices, rice production costs, the ceiling price of BPT and the absence of laws prohibiting rice-mixing in Act 522. Additionally, a general study by MyCC,

In a statement, it said the issue was highlighted following a study conducted by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) on imported rice samples. Referring to Mardi’s study using DNA sequencing (fingerprinting) technology, it was found that about 50% of the 5,000 BPI samples seized by authorities had been mixed with BPT. The ministry said due to a lack of legal provisions, authorities cannot take action against offenders. Taking into account the views of farmers, consumers and industry players, the government is committed to controlling the