When it rains, it pours.
Consumers who are already feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and gloomy economy are set to pay more for raw food, including vegetables.
The prices of tomatoes, mustard, french beans and coriander, for example, have doubled if not tripled in recent days.
Farmers, however, are left in the lurch, saying that a host of problems have forced the prices of vegetables up.
Cameron Highlands Indian Farmers Association secretary V. Paneselvam said low production accompanied by the lack of local sales at the highlands due to the Movement Control Order were among the factors for the price hike.
“There are no tourists in Cameron Highlands, so local sales are bad. Farmers are also facing transportation issues as they can’t move in and out as before due to the movement restrictions,” said Paneselvam.
“Even the Selayang market is closed. People are finding it difficult to move their products.”
He said the weather had also contributed to unhealthy crop.
“I don’t know how long this will last. Almost every day something new comes up.”
PH SUBMITS 3 NAMES FOR INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE
Pakatan Harapan has proposed three names of representatives who will sit in the independent special committee that will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the emergency.
The three are PKR’s Kulim-Bandar Bharu MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, DAP’s Seremban MP Anthony Loke and Amanah’s Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Their names were submitted to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan today.
NAJIB, ZAHID TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed they tested negative for Covid-19.
It was reported that Najib and Zahid had met Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman on Jan 17. Tajuddin tested positive yesterday.
KEDAH MB: DECISION TO CANCEL PUBLIC HOLIDAY FOR THAIPUSAM NOT BIASED
Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state government’s decision to cancel the public holiday for Thaipusam on Jan 28 is in no way denying the rights of Hindus in Kedah.
Sanusi said Thaipusam had only been declared a special holiday in the state for the last two years and Hindus in the state were free to celebrate as long as they adhered to standard operating procedures.
The decision has been slammed by Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who described it as biased.
DATUK AND FRIEND PLEAD GUILTY OVER SLAPPING INCIDENT
Two company directors pleaded guilty at the Petaling Jaya magistrate’s court to assaulting several people and causing public nuisance at a steamboat restaurant in Persiaran Tropicana on Jan 12.
Datuk Tan Wai Khan, 42, and his friend Ang Mow Loong, 40, admitted to causing harm by hitting Kwan Pei Chong, 31, at Restoran Steamboat TST, Tropicana Avenue, Damansara, at 9pm that day.
The duo also pleaded guilty to causing public nuisance at the restaurant at the same time and place.
Tan also pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt by hitting Magdalene Wong Chung Yi, 31, and Lee Dek Quan, 25.
He, however, claimed trial to a charge of mischief by smashing plates and bowls belonging to Kwan.
Magistrate Nurshahira Abd Salim allowed bail and set April 2 for sentencing and mention of the pending case.
‘DIGITAL TRAINING OF TEACHERS CRUCIAL’
Teachers in Malaysia were never trained to teach online, says National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Harry Tan.
With the uncertainty of when the Movement Control Order will end, digital training for teachers is crucial to ensure the success of learning online.
