KOTA KINABALU — The Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration, next week, will cover nine types of essential goods nationwide, from this Thursday (Oct 16).

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the scheme, which will run until Oct 22, is aimed at ensuring price stability during the festive period, and protecting consumers from unreasonable price hikes.

He said the items listed under the scheme include imported bone-in mutton, tomatoes, red chillies, small red onions and rose onions (from India), large imported shallots, Australian dhal beans, whole coconut (maximum price applicable at the wholesale level only), and grated coconut (maximum price applicable at the retail level only).

“This implementation takes into account feedback and input from industry players, to ensure they can fulfil their responsibilities without disrupting business operations.

“The introduction of this scheme reflects the government’s strong commitment to ensuring that essential goods remain accessible at prices set during the Deepavali festive season. We also encourage traders to sell below the maximum price where possible, but not to exceed the ceiling set,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after launching the SHMMP for Deepavali 2025, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, today.

The ministry is also working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), to ensure a sufficient supply of goods throughout the festive period.