PETALING JAYA - The number of complaints on price hikes reported to the Government tripled after the zero-rating of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there were 1,400 complaints in May and with zero-rated GST from June 1, 4,500 complaints had been lodged by the end of June. "Half the complaints were on price hikes on food and drinks at restaurants," he said after attending the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Council Installation Night 2018 event at a hotel here. Saifuddin urged the people to be the "eyes and ears of the Government" to monitor the prices of goods. "The people, as consumers, will know best about the movement of prices. "They spend at hypermarkets and retail shops, so they will know. "The best way will be to alert the ministry so that we can formulate strategic plans," he said. Saifuddin said the ministry has 1,044 officers to assist and keep track of prices. Malaysian Muslim Restaurant … [Read more...] about Complaints on price hikes in Malaysia triple after removal of GST
Price hike article
Doug Ford puts gasoline companies ‘on notice’ over weekend price hikes
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By Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau Fri., June 15, 2018 Doug Ford made a vague threat to regulate gasoline prices Friday as he served notice his first acts as premier will be to cut the carbon tax on fuel and exit the cap-and-trade program. “Nothing drives people more crazy than on the weekend mysteriously all these prices of gas go up,” the premier-designate said two weeks before he will be sworn in to replace Kathleen Wynne. “The gas companies, I’m putting you on notice. You aren’t going to be playing these games out of the blue ….it’s not going to happen,” Ford added before walking away as reporters asked for more details. During the election campaign, only NDP Leader Andrea Horwath pledged to regulate gas prices by capping how much the cost per litre can be raised, likely setting prices on Sundays or Mondays for the rest of the week. A study commissioned by the Ontario Energy Board last fall warned such … [Read more...] about Doug Ford puts gasoline companies ‘on notice’ over weekend price hikes
Champions League final marred by price hikes, cancelled flights
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By James Ellingworth The Associated Press Thu., May 24, 2018 KYIV, UKRAINE—Price hikes and cancelled flights are ruining the Champions League final for some fans two days before Real Madrid and Liverpool even kick off. Some owners of hotels and hostels in Kyiv have raised prices by more than 10 times for Saturday’s game, while the city’s two airports have been unable to accommodate a rush of extra charter flights. That led to British travel operator World Choice Sports cancelling three flights on Thursday, leaving hundreds of Liverpool fans stranded. Read more: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah a beacon to Egyptians amid economic hardship Article Continued Below “We have had Liverpool football club, police, UEFA and everyone at the highest levels of authority trying to resolve this,” the company said in a statement. “We have exhausted all avenues to try and get landing slots.” Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said he was in … [Read more...] about Champions League final marred by price hikes, cancelled flights
Mitigating oil price hikes
The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, which kicked in at the start of 2018, is largely seen – rightly or wrongly – as one of the biggest reasons why consumers are seeing successive increases in the prices of goods. The consumer price index (CPI), which measures the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food and medical care, was up 4.5 percent in April from 4.3 percent in March, an all-time high over a five-year period. Government economists attributed this to higher oil prices and the initial impact of the implementation of the TRAIN Law. With almost everything priced higher, inflation has also reared its ugly head. For now, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is on edge about the possibility of galloping inflation, and has appropriately acted by raising interest rates last week by 25 basis points to tighten money supply, and consequently temper rising prices of commodities and goods. Still, the BSP … [Read more...] about Mitigating oil price hikes
Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp unite to bring World Cup to Singapore fans; no price hike for subscribers
Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp will be collaborating for the first time to bring the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia to football fans in Singapore. In a statement released on Wednesday (April 25), all three broadcasters will offer complete FIFA World Cup coverage via paid subscription packages at the price of $94.16 until May 22 and $112.35 thereafter, unchanged from FIFA World Cup rates four years ago. This is the first time there has been no price hike since paid World Cup subscriptions were introduced here in 2002, reported The Straits Times. Said Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Singapore at Singtel: “Having brought the FIFA World Cup to viewers since 2010, we know how important the tournament is to Singaporeans. We are pleased this year to work with our broadcast partners to give all Singaporeans front row seats to the Cup. “Football is for everyone and we are excited to bring the drama and suspense of all 64 games to viewers via Singtel TV, Singtel TV … [Read more...] about Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp unite to bring World Cup to Singapore fans; no price hike for subscribers