With two weeks to go to Chinese New Year, regular patrons of local Chinese eateries and hair salons have begun lamenting about the need to pay more for food and haircuts during this period.
The price hikes at restaurants and hawker centres usually increase by up to 10 per cent during the Lunar New Year.
Business proprietors often claim the additional fee is to pay workers extra wages as an incentive to work during the festive season.
Some have also claimed that the surcharge was to make up for losses incurred as their businesses would be closed for a few days during the period.
While the price of food and services usually returns to normal a few days to up to a week after the celebrations, the yearly practice has become such a norm that both customers and business operators do not speak about the matter in the open.
Businessman K.H. Yap, 50, from Petaling Jaya, said the surcharge at hawker centres during Chinese New Year was a yearly occurrence as far as he can remember.
“It happens nationwide. But no one seems to complain as it has become a normal practice,” said Yap.
“We have to pay between 50 sen to RM1 more for a bowl of noodles if you dine out at hawker centres during the period, but in general, no one really complains.”
A musician who wished to be known as Brenda said she has become accustomed to the surcharge imposed during the period.
“I try and get my hair cut and coloured at least a month before Chinese New Year to avoid paying any additional surcharge, which can range between RM5 and RM10,” she said.
“When it comes to food, a regular plate of wantan mee can cost anywhere between 30 sen and 50 sen more during the period,” said the 39-year-old from Cheras.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said while the association had not received any official complaints on the matter, it has heard about such practices.
Its chief executive officer, T. Saravanan, said there must be a justification if traders wished to increase the price of their service or food.
“They must justify the price increase – if it’s due to higher costs, including an increase in the price of raw materials or operating costs,” said Saravanan.
“Simply saying they need to make up for the losses incurred if they are closed is a vague justification. What if they were open and not closed?”
Saravanan said consumers must be kept informed by traders on any price increase before a sale is made.
“There must be proper signage displayed at business premises informing consumers about their prices prior to consumers engaging their services or purchasing their items,” said Saravanan.
“Merely informing consumers verbally about any price increase is unacceptable.”
He said consumers who have been charged an additional fee without notice can bring the matter up with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
“The ministry, through its enforcement unit, can definitely take action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act.”
