The Ministry has initiated several proactive measures in restraining consumers’ anxiety with regard to the increase in prices of goods, subsequently safeguarding the market from the threats of unscrupulous traders.

Some of the initiatives taken are the launch of a nationwide Smart Consumers Campaign. The crucial message that the Ministry hopes to deliver through this campaign is that the consumers do have choices in making purchases for their daily goods and services, and traders who sell at unreasonable prices will not be getting consumers’ support.

The Smart Consumers Campaign is currently being focused at hypermarkets nationwide. Hypermarkets can afford to offer lower prices because they can afford to purchase their stock in large volumes at lower costs.

The move is by no means aimed at ruling out retail traders but rather is a strategy to enable consumers to be aware of their rights and options and, in turn, empower them as a smart and strong community of consumers.

While the Smart Consumers Campaign is being launched, enforcement is also stepped up nationwide, involving officers from the Ministry and more than 14,000 volunteers. The Campaign also takes on steps to educate consumers so that they are able to make the right choices, subsequently make the wisest purchasing decisions. Among other initiatives taken include:

• Providing extensive consumerism information to members of the public in facing the increase in prices of goods following the increase in fuel prices
• In smaller towns, respective State Committee Chairman in-charge of Consumer Affairs are made responsible in informing people in their constituency of the markets offering the best prices
• Closely monitoring the market to ensure prices of controlled items are not being hiked indiscriminately. For other items, the price increase must be kept reasonable
• Providing a toll-free number, 1-800-886-800 for consumers to report to the Ministry of any cases of traders indiscriminately increasing their prices. This includes prices of prepared food in restaurants, hotels, stalls etc.

With a caring Government, responsible and mindful traders, as well as smart and prudent consumers, the effects of fuel price increase can be handled as a routine adjustment, without putting a big dent in the family or nation economy.