Kuala Lumpur — It`s Ramadan in Malaysia and the days of the Muslim fasting month usually mean fairy lights, dinner tables groaning with dishes, and an upbeat mood.
But this year many householders such as 45-year-old Siti Nora are upset and frustrated as sharp increases in the price of staple foods have meant that "breaking fast" is a much more meagre affair.
"You know, in past years, from the first day of Ramadan they will light up their homes with colourful lights. But this year they did not do it. I do not see people being in a mood for celebration," said Siti.
The fasting month, which ends with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, is a time of reflection during which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.
Siti, who lives on the outskirts of the capital in an enclave popular with Muslim Malays who make up the majority of the population of this multicultural country, said her neighbours` dinner tables are also less bounteous this year.
"Definitely, the hike in prices will dampen our merry mood as we Muslims prepare for Eid al-Fitr celebration," she said, referring to the festival which marks the conclusion of Ramadan this weekend.
The cost of basic items such as chicken, eggs, flour and condensed milk have all risen by up to 50 percent thanks to a price creep which began last year and has spiked in recent weeks.
"A 250 gram pack of butter is now priced at 2.80 ringgit, up from 1.80 ringgit last year," she said, adding that her monthly grocery bill has jumped to at least 500 ringgit (147 dollars) from 300 ringgit (33 dollars) before.
Iskandar Abdul Halim, from the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, attributed the high prices to a drop in supply and bad weather.
"Global prices of flour have gone up. We import all the flour consumed in the country. There is nothing we can do except to raise prices," he said.
"In the case of chicken prices, the food they consume like soya and corn has also gone up. Chicken breeders have to charge more in order to stay in business."
Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister and now a leading government critic, said consumers are concerned the situation could get worse.
"I have been going around the country and there is a lot of anger over increases in prices of basic food items," said the former finance minister who now represents the opposition Keadilan party.
Anwar said the government`s modest inflation figures do not reflect reality and warned that rising prices could impact on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is tipped to hold snap polls in the next six months.
"Certaintly, voters are angry. It will have a political backlash on Abdullah`s government. Price rises will be on the top of our election campaign menu," he said.
Despite complaints from lower-income earners struggling to pay for their weekly grocery shop, Malaysia`s hotels are laying on increasingly sumptuous buffets for those with enough cash to "break fast" at their restaurants.
Tables at five-star hotels in the capital groan under the weight of imported fresh oysters, sushi and sashimi along with local specialties for daily buffets costing at least 100 ringgit per person.
Economists say the average Malaysian earns just 50 ringgit a day, but per capita income in Kuala Lumpur is double the national average of 6,300 ringgit.
"We have some 162 varieties of food available at the various counters. They are mainly local dishes. Response is great," said Zainal Suat, a manager at the Equatorial Hotel`s Nipah Coffeeshop which caters to up to 400 people nightly.
Source: afp.google.com (10 Oktober 2007)
