The Malaysian Insight

LOW-INCOME earners in the Klang Valley are struggling to feed themselves as prices soar while their wages remain stagnant.

This group, largely residents of low-cost flats, told The Malaysian Insight their current salaries were not compatible with the prices of fresh produce.

Hakim Abdul, 27, who lives in Pangsapuri PPR Hicom, said RM50 these days could only buy him a fish and a 10kg bag of rice at the market.

“The rice lasts about eight or nine days but the fish only lasts a day,” said Hakim, who has a family of three.

He earns RM58 a day and groceries cost him RM200 a week.

“I work six days a week and more than half of a week’s pay goes to food,” said Hakim who sells coconut by the roadside.

Housewife Suhaila Osman, 45, said 40% of her husband’s salary goes to groceries.

“We have seven people to feed at home and food costs us about RM300 a week.

“We try to spend only about RM50 a day but most of the time it that’s not enough because nowadays a chicken costs about RM20,” said Suhaila, who lives in PPR Lembah Subang 2.

A. Murugan, 56, in PPR Pantai, said that he could barely afford to feed his kids.

“I would want my kids to get a balanced diet because they are still young but my salary doesn’t allow me to give them that.

“About 45% of my salary goes to buying groceries. The rest of the money goes towards paying the bills,” said Murugan, who is a security guard.

He added that a few years ago, he could afford to buy meat, chicken or fish for his kids.

Roadside stall owner Azizah Mat Noh, 54, said her cost of doing business has doubled.

“Just about two years back, I spent about RM200 a day but now I spent almost RM380.

“These days. RM50 of produce at the market will probably get you only one meal.

“The cost of living has gone up extremely especially after the lockdown and we are struggling,” said Azizah, who lives in PPR Hicom.

Last week, the Statistics Department said Malaysia’s consumer price index (CPI) in March 2022 rose by 2.2% to 125.6 against 122.9 in March 2021

In a statement, chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the rise in headline inflation was mainly driven by the 4% year-on-year increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages.

“Food inflation remained a major contributor to inflation. The 4% growth in the food and non-alcoholic beverages group was largely due to an increase in the food at home component, which rose by 4.3% compared to 4.1% recorded in February 2022,” he added.

Uzir said the meat subgroup continued to be the main contributor to food inflation, rising by 7.6% in March 2022. – April 29, 2022.