Kuala Lumpur: Coconut milk traders have been warned not to take advantage of the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations by mixing freshly extracted coconut milk with other substances solely to increase profits. Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Dr Fuziah Salleh, emphasized that the demand for fresh coconut milk would inevitably rise during the festive season, particularly as it is now a controlled item.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Fuziah highlighted the lack of a mechanism to measure the amount of water mixed with coconut milk, unlike imported and local rice mixtures, which can be quantified. She encouraged consumers to report any suspicious incidents to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for investigation.
Dr Fuziah made these remarks during a ground visit to oversee the implementation of the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025. The visit was also attended by Negeri Sembilan KPDN director, Muhammad Zahir Mazlan, at a local supermarket. The SHMMP for Aidilfitri 2025 includes 26 items and will be enforced for 15 days from March 24 to April 7.
She stated that KPDN is conducting the Op Pantau operation throughout Ramadan until Aidilfitri. Additionally, a special system known as Aduan Suri will enable consumers to report traders exploiting the festive season. Dr Fuziah also warned traders against selling coconut milk-based food, such as lemang and pulut, at excessively high prices, noting that the maximum price of coconut milk has been set at RM17.50 per kilogramme in Peninsular Malaysia.
Traders who attribute high lemang prices to increased coconut milk costs are committing an offence related to profiteering and may face prosecution, she stated. While KPDN does not regulate lemang prices, the ministry will monitor to ensure prices remain reasonable.
Dr Fuziah further added that KPDN enforcement officers nationwide have been tasked with monitoring and enforcing pricing at strategic locations, including public markets, farmers’ markets, and shopping centres selling festive essentials.