The government will be forced to intervene if the price mechanism currently in place, does not function well.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said government agencies like the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and National Fishermen Association (NEKMAT) can play an important role by offering food items at a lower price.

If these can be done, he said, the people will not be burdened with unreasonable price hikes.

“I have discussed with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister to study prices at the pasar tani (farmer’s market), maybe FAMA can offer lower prices, we have also given FAMA more allocation to sell directly,” he said in his speech at the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly on Tuesday.

He said he will be going to the pasar tani in Putrajaya on Friday to check on prices.

Najib said economic re-structuring including subsidy rationalising and direct aid to the needy are necessary steps taken by the government for the benefit of the country’s economy, and not done to burden the people.

“If there are ways for us to help the rakyat, we will definitely help, this is not a step to purposely burden the people. Why would I want to burden the people?” he asked.

“We know we were elected by the people and what we are doing now is for the long term benefit of the nation and the people. There is no ulterior motive other than that,” he added.

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