KUALA LUMPUR: Don’t blame the Domestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry for increasing living costs.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (pic) said this when speaking to reporters at the Umno General Assembly.

Over the last four days, delegates at the Umno AGM such as party youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Puteri chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had asked for the government to stop all increases.

Responding to questions from reporters, Hamzah said his ministry is not directly looking into all products that are introduced in the country

Hamzah said that there is a difference between the cost of things and initiatives aimed at increasing income.

"We have to understand that the cost of goods that the rakyat want reduced is not under government control,” said Hamzah

Hamzah added that it was up to traders to set the prices of these goods, saying that traders should be reasonable when setting prices.

He then added that increases the in cost of living are inevitable in a progressive country.

“It's the only way to balance a better lifestyle,” he added.

He added that the government's initiatives at the moment are aimed at helping people improve their income, and are not aimed at reducing the cost of living.

However, when asked on how he plans to increase the income of people, Hamzah declined to comment and said that he needs to attend Friday prayers.