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The initiative falls under the Seasonal Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) and will regulate the prices of commonly consumed festive ingredients across the country - March 10, 2026
KPDN introduces the Servis Ihsan MADANI programme which offers vehicle servicing discounts of between 10 and 30 per cent on selected services and lubricants
THE government will implement a nationwide festive price control scheme for 27 essential food items ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026, as part of efforts to stabilise prices and protect consumers during the peak holiday period.
The scheme will be enforced from 14 to 28 March 2026, covering seven days before the festival, the day of celebration itself and seven days afterwards.
Announced by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the initiative falls under the Seasonal Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) and will regulate the prices of commonly consumed festive ingredients across the country.
This year’s scheme covers 27 items, an increase from 26 goods controlled in 2025, with Australian lentils added to the list.
The controlled items include onions, garlic, dried chillies, fresh red chillies, various types of fish, vegetables such as cabbage, cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as chicken wings, coconuts, coconut milk and potatoes.
Some items are subject to price controls only in specific regions, reflecting differences in supply and consumption patterns across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
In Peninsular Malaysia, the maximum prices of 13 items will be reduced compared with last year, including imported buffalo meat from India, green mustard, carrots from China, various types of onions, garlic, potatoes, old ginger, dried curly chillies and coconut-based products such as grated coconut and coconut milk.
The prices of nine items, including local beef, several fish varieties, imported cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes and legumes, will remain unchanged, while the maximum price of fresh red chillies will increase slightly.
In Sarawak, the maximum prices of 11 goods will fall compared with last year, while several other items will remain unchanged.
However, coconut-related products such as whole coconuts, grated coconut and coconut milk will see a price increase.
Sabah will see reductions in the maximum price of 12 items, including imported buffalo meat, tomatoes, red chillies and several staple ingredients, while nine items will remain unchanged and none will experience price increases.
In Labuan, 11 goods will see lower maximum prices, eight will remain unchanged and peanuts will record a price increase.
The ministry said the determination of price ceilings takes into account several factors across the supply chain, including import costs, farm prices, wholesale levels and prevailing retail price trends. Market demand and supply, weather conditions, labour costs and current economic conditions were also considered.
According to the ministry, the 15-day implementation period aims to strike a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring traders are not burdened by an excessively long price control period.
The scheme will be enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, with maximum prices set for both wholesale and retail levels.
These prices can be checked on the ministry’s official website.
Enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living will be deployed nationwide at strategic locations including public markets, farmers’ markets and major retail centres throughout the scheme’s duration to ensure compliance.
Authorities said enforcement will also involve education, advisory measures and warnings to encourage ethical business practices among traders.
The government has reminded traders that controlled goods must be clearly marked with pink price tags and warned that strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the regulations.
Individuals found selling controlled goods above the maximum price may face fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, while companies may be fined up to RM500,000.
Those who fail to display the required pink price labels may face fines of up to RM10,000 for individuals and RM20,000 for companies.
Members of the public are encouraged to report violations through official complaint channels including WhatsApp, the ministry’s call centre, online complaint portal, email and the Ez ADU KPDN mobile application.
Alongside the price control scheme, the ministry will also roll out several initiatives to ease the cost of living during the festive season.
These include the Rahmah MADANI Aidilfitri Sales Programme, under which subsidised goods will be expanded from 40 to at least 50 items, as previously announced by the Prime Minister on 9 March 2026.
Another initiative, the Servis Ihsan MADANI programme in collaboration with Petronas AutoExpert workshops, will offer vehicle servicing discounts of between 10 and 30 per cent on selected services and lubricants.
A total of 124 workshops nationwide will participate in the programme between 10 and 17 March and again from 23 to 31 March 2026. - March 10, 2026
