Bread a controlled item in Malaysia

Bread a controlled item in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia said yesterday it was making bread a controlled item from next week in a bid to regulate price hikes as the government stepped up a nation-wide exercise to control inflation.

From Monday, the essential commodity is to be grouped with nine categories of scheduled goods and services used to monitor the expenditure pattern of an average household in order calculate the consumer price index (CPI), the national inflation barometer.

"The measure is to prevent indiscriminate price hikes and ensure bread supply is adequate and easily obtainable at all times," Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Abu Hassan Omar said.

Bakers who produce bread weighing 200 grams and one kilo must have a license, obtainable at an annual fee of 50 ringgit (US$20), before Aug. 30. Any price hikes must be approved by the government.