However, the prices of 91 other wet items were found lower than in other places, the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad told Bernama recently.
He said the study was conducted to help reduce the high cost of living of the more than 83,000 residents on the island.
The study, conducted with the cooperation of the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, also analysed the factors which contributed to the difference in the prices.
He said both ministries had come up with several suggestions to resolve the problem, including providing subsidy for transportation of wet items to Labuan through the Mobile 1Malaysia People’s Shop Logistic Programme (Mobile KR1M) and introducing the ‘Jom Bertani’ for the Agro Bazaar and 22 cooperatives in Labuan to sell directly to consumers.
Alias said the outcome of the study would be tabled to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin early next month.
He said among factors contributing to the higher price of goods in Labuan were transportation cost and limited production of agriculture produce due to unsuitable land and high cost of agriculture inputs.
Eighty-five per cent of the supply of commodity are from outside Sabah, he said, adding that the lack of facilities, like cold room, was also a factor.
— BERNAMA
