PRICE WATCH VIA MINISTRY PORTALS

PUTRAJAYA, May 25 (Bernama) -- Consumers can now compare the price of food items by visiting two portals developed by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the portals provide consumers with a
choice of premises that offer goods at low prices to encourage healthy
competition among traders.

The portals accessible via the address www.smartconsumer.my or
http://pricewatch.kpdnhep.gov.my list 50 types of food items available daily at
hypermarkets and wet markets nationwide.

"We have 1,600 officers nationwide to monitor the prices and update them
daily," he told reporters after launching the two portals here Monday.

Ismail Sabri was confident that consumers would find the portals useful and
that they would help the ministry to control the price of goods, particularly
controlled items.

The ministry also plans to expand the portals functionality by making them
accessible to mobile phone users and include the price of goods at retail shops.

On www.smartconsumer.my, he said the portal provides consumers with
information on consumer issues, tips, campaigns and fair price shops.

They can also give their views and lodge reports.
-- BERNAMA