Festive Price Hikes

Chinese New Year is less than a month away (this year, it falls on 18 February 2007) and I am definitely not alone waiting in anticipation for this really grand holiday season:

1. Time with family and relatives
2. HOLIDAY!
3. Photographic opportunity!

But it is during this time that prices for popular items like food and clothings rise up through the ceiling. This year, it seems the Malaysian government is imposing a fine with a flat fee of RM5,000 for traders that try to take advantage of the lunar new year by increasing prices of controlled items beyond the threshold price. Usually, the fine is between RM500 to RM7,500.

More on Star Online's report: "Traders warned not to sell controlled items above approved prices"