May 23, 2022 9:31 PM
PETALING JAYA: A consumer group has lambasted the government for taking its time before investigating claims about the existence of chicken cartels.

N Marimuthu, president of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) questioned why the government had waited until a chicken shortage happened before investigating the allegations.

“The Malaysia Competition Commission was established to ensure the government had eyes and ears in place to prevent any cartels from functioning, yet it took a Cabinet meeting today for action to be taken,” he said.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said earlier today that the investigation into claims of a chicken cartel would be completed by June.

Marimuthu said the government should have had better foresight. It must not delay the investigations any longer than necessary.

Meanwhile, Mydin hypermarket managing director Ameer Ali Mydin labelled the allegations of cartels as “shocking”. He said the prime minister’s statement had all but confirmed the existence of cartels.

“There is no place for these groups in Malaysia,” he said.