Tengku Adnan’s speech at KIMMA’s AGM recently (http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/15/tengku-adnan-tells-mamak-shops-haram-to-overcharge-teh-tarik-roti-canai/#zPXSSQUT96qptgsB.99) shows that Barisan Nasional leaders do not seem to understand the sentiments of the common Rakyat and do not understand that the reason prices of food increase is because of their mismanagement of the economy and also the monopoly of food ingredients suppliers.
While Malaysians are suffering due to the rising cost of living thanks to BN’s lack of efficiency in managing public funds, the government also fails to address this issue where sugar and flour continues to be monopolised by BN cronies.
Monopolies are bad for efficiency. Instead, the government should allow competition in order to become a market driven economy. The implementation of the GST, which DAP has always been critical of, has done nothing but burdened the rakyat. The implementation has caused prices of food ingredients to increase as the industry players dominate retail trade and wholesale. While these firms have control over the price of food ingredients, they also control the supply in the market which may also be the reason why we have shortage of supplies in the market especially during festive seasons. This shows the government is incapable of managing food supplies hence mismanagemes the economy and burden the common rakyat.
Patronising Mamak restaurants are a way of life for Malaysians in general. Malaysians from all walks of life come together day and night for their meals and also have conversations on anything and everything. It is unfair to blame mamak restaurants on food price increase when the government isn’t doing anything on addressing food ingredient monopolies. It is unfortunate that KIMMA, which claims to represent the Indian Muslim community never really voiced out on this matter when they had a key minister to officiate their AGM.
Tengku Adnan should stop blaming the opposition on the weaknesses of the Barisan Nasional government in managing the economy. The DAP together with Pakatan Harapan will always play it’s role to voice out the issues concerning the common Rakyat.