PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – Starting next month, Malaysians shopping for food at pasar malam markets may need to pay more for certain items as traders plan to increase prices due to the recent diesel price hike.
Kamarul Nizam, chairman of Pasar Malam Bumiputera Shah Alam and Klang, announced that some night market traders are preparing to raise their prices starting July 1.
However, the exact increase has yet to be determined as traders are waiting to assess the full impact of the new diesel prices on their costs.
Kamarul, who operates a food and drink stall, revealed that he plans to raise his prices by 10 per cent. He explained that the increase is necessary to cover the additional expenses incurred from higher fuel costs, which have significantly affected their profit margins.
Meanwhile, Moganae Sundram, chairman of the Jalan Cemur Kuala Lumpur night market, voiced concerns over the inadequacy of the government’s MYR200 Budi Madani cash assistance to offset the rising fuel expenses.
Sundram, a fishmonger, shared that he now spends an additional MYR600 on diesel to transport his fish from Perak to Kuala Lumpur.
Both chairmen emphasised the challenges faced by petty traders due to the fuel price hike. They highlighted that many traders operate on thin margins, and the increased costs could lead to higher prices for consumers.
The diesel price increase has had a ripple effect, impacting not only transportation costs but also the overall operating expenses for night market traders across Malaysia.
Other traders, including those selling vegetables and using their own transport to ferry goods from wholesalers, are also affected, claimed Moganae.
However, he said he would not increase prices yet, as his competitors have no plans to do so.
“If I increase prices now, I would lose out to those selling cheaper,” he added.
But he believed it is only a matter of time before they increase the prices of their goods.
Malaysian Bakery, Biscuit, Confectionery, Mee and Kuay Teow Merchants Association president Chaang Tuck Cheong said prices of related goods have remained unchanged because several sectors, particularly food and logistics, continue to enjoy targeted diesel subsidies.
However, he said that it has not been smooth sailing. There have been instances where lorry drivers are unable to use their fleet cards to refuel due to system glitches, he said.
“Drivers have to pay cash upfront, and they may not be able to claim it back,” he said.
Although the fleet card provides more than enough diesel to cover monthly usage, Chaang said it remains uncertain for now as the claims have yet to be processed.
“We can only wait and see,” he added.
