Customers leave with their groceries after shopping at a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur August 28, 2013. — Reuters pic

KEMAMAN, Jan 12 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said it is unfair to solely blame the government on the hike in the price of goods.

He said the government is implementing transformation of the economy and the outcome will benefit the people.

“The government is always with the people. Don’t solely blame the government for the price hikes. When prices went up, the Barisan Nasional government was labelled as ‘Barang Naik.’

“When prices dropped, the government was not praised but when prices shot up, the government was condemned,” he said at a ceremony to present aid to floods victims and to thank volunteers, here today.

The prime minister said price hikes were caused by factors such as the global economy and extreme weather conditions that led to shortage of supply.

“Not all price hikes were caused by the government. The price of fish rose because of reduced catch by fishermen while the price of vegetables shot up due to lack of supply.”

Najib said the government is aware that the cost of living is rising and has taken various measures to reduce the burden of the people.

At the event, the government presented aid in the form of television sets, refrigerators, pillows, mattresses and stoves worth RM5,000 to flood victims.

The contributions were made by political parties, government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGO).

Over 19,205 families in Terengganu also received cash aid of RM500 from the federal government and RM1,500 from the state government. — Bernama