22 October 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: If there is an increase in bread prices, it should be a �reasonable� one, said Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk S. Veerasingam.�

This is for products that do not fall in the list of controlled items.��Whatever increase in prices, the amount must be fair to all,� he said when contacted yesterday

Veerasingam was commenting on the price of bread, the staple breakfast of most Malaysians, which was likely to increase with the rising wheat flour prices.�

Asked if the Government was willing to increase the price of the white sandwich bread, a controlled item, Veerasingam declined to comment on the issue now.�

He said the relevant associations could meet the ministry to discuss the matter before any drastic action was taken.�

It was reported that a 25kg sack of non-general purpose (non-GP) wheat flour, used to make bread, was priced at RM59.30, against RM33.60 in April.�

Last month, it was fixed at RM44.30. �

Non-GP wheat flour is not a controlled item but the price of white bread, which is made from this type of flour, is controlled.�

Bakery Manufacturers Association president Mashood Wahab had said that the price of a loaf of white sandwich bread was sold at RM1.20 (small) and RM2 (big) by members of the association.�

He had said that with the current price of wheat flour, the loaf should be sold at RM1.60 for the manufacturers to break even.