PRICES GOING DOWN

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Major supermarkets in the country are
beginning to mark down prices starting Tuesday, said Domestic Trade and Consumer
Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad.

For example, he said, the Giant store-chain had lowered prices by 30 per
cent of 1,200 items and this move was being followed by other stores.

"We have also negotiated with all supermarkets and they have agreed to
reduce prices," Shahrir said when officiating the price reduction campaign at
Kinrara here Tuesday.

He said monitoring by the government on prices was limited to controlled
items like rice, flour and cooking oil.

Shahrir said suppliers and producers were encouraged to participate in the
campaign and reduce their prices.

"We will call on consumer associations to discuss with food production
associations like poultry breeders and others to get their consent to reduce
prices," he said.
-- BERNAMA