KOTA KINABALU: The appointment of Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister has been hailed by the Sabah West Coast Smart Consumers Association.
Its president, David Chan, considers it a timely and appropriate decision, especially since Sabah consistently faces a high cost of living.
Chan expressed hope that the new minister will thoroughly investigate the factors contributing to the high cost of living in Sabah compared to Sarawak, despite both states being located on the same Borneo island.
In a Cabinet reshuffle earlier in the day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced that Armizan would helm the ministry.
Prior to this appointment, Armizan served as the acting minister after the passing of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub in July.
Armizan also held previous ministerial positions in the Prime Minister’s Department, overseeing Sabah and Sarawak Affairs as well as Special Functions.
According to David, the cost of staple food in Sarawak is consistently lower than in Sabah.
“Many consumers, particularly those with low incomes or factory workers, have expressed their concerns about the high prices of food.
“As a result, they are selective in choosing food shops, opting for those with lower prices to save money,” he said.
David also highlighted the issue of stagnant wages, which further burdens the B40 group (the bottom 40% income earners).
He expressed his hope that the government will bring about significant changes to alleviate the cost of living in Sabah.