PETALING JAYA: Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying has assured that the government is closely monitoring the prices of essential goods particularly food items to ensure the cost of living remains stable following the implementation of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) this month.
“Food inflation stood at 2.1% in June and averaged 2.4% for the January to June 2025 period, higher than the national inflation rate of 1.1%,” she told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Lim stressed that the SST expansion is a targeted measure and not intended to drive up the prices of basic necessities.
“The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will continue on-site price monitoring to ensure prices remain under control. The government is determined to keep basic goods affordable and prevent price surges.”
She added that the ministry will maintain ongoing price surveillance to ensure the overall cost of living remains manageable for the rakyat.
Lim was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) who asked about the government’s efforts to reduce the food inflation rate, including the SST expansion’s impact on food price controls.
