Kuala Lumpur: The prices of basic items ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations are under control following efforts taken by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi, who is also the MADANI Government spokesman, stated that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the KPDN and KPKM at the Cabinet meeting today for their success in ensuring the prices of basic goods are kept under control, especially ahead of the Aidilfitri celebrations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, industry players also helped ensure the prices of goods continue to be under control by giving their cooperation to the KPDN and KPKM. Fahmi noted that local white rice (BPT) has begun to reach various locations and the KPKM is continuously striving to identify places that have yet to obtain the BPT to deliver it. Some ministers have also observed that the prices of eggs at certain places have decreased ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, indicating a positive trend.
Fahmi also urged the public to utilize the PriceCatcher application to identify locations selling basic items at reasonable prices and to make price comparisons at premises offering similar products. Meanwhile, he shared that the Prime Minister explained to the Cabinet Ministers that the 2025 Special Financial Aid (BKK) of RM500, including the salary increase through the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) enjoyed by civil servants, involved a significant amount and was successfully implemented by the MADANI Government.
Fahmi added that last December, the salary of civil servants who signed the SSPA increased by an average of eight percent for the first phase while the second phase will be implemented at the end of this year for another increase. In January, the annual salary raise saw an increase of between seven and 15 percent based on respective grades, followed by the RM500 BKK in February as announced by the Prime Minister during the tabling of Budget 2025 last October.
Recently, the Prime Minister also announced the provision of Aidilfitri BKK of RM500 to civil servants in Grade 56 and below, and RM250 to all government retirees, including pensionable and non-pensionable veterans, and teachers of Al-Quran and Fardu Ain classes (KAFA). Additionally, the Aidilfitri BKK of RM500 was extended to 14,000 civil servants in Terengganu. These measures are part of the government’s efforts to ensure continuous assistance to the people, aiming to enhance the festive spirit for Malaysians, particularly civil servants, ahead of Aidilfitri.