KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Hasan Malek today rejected allegations that his ministry failed to curb profiteering amid the crippling floods in Kelantan, insisting that the incidents were isolated.

Hassan said his own observations, and that of his team, revealed that traders were selling basic goods at normal rates, contrary to media claims.

"I just had a visit around Kota Bharu and we saw that prices of goods are all the same," the minister told Malay Mail Online categorically.

The recent floods in the state, perhaps the worst in Malaysian history, cut-off crucial land routes,paralysing the supply chain. Allegations of profiteering were plentiful,even when traders  had ample stocks.

Malay Mail Online's own investigations showed that many traders were inflating prices, taking advantage of people desperate for essential supplies. Chicken hit RM30 a kilogramme while eggs doubled in price.

Hassan would only acknowledge that profiteering was limited to  "a few bad apples".

"I don't want people to blow this issue out of proportion. Just because one or two traders did that doesn’t mean that is the case everywhere," he said.

He also said the media should play an active role in highlighting "the reality" and not focus on the profiteers.

"We want to make an example out of them so other traders would follow. Don't write all this bad news as it would make the Rakyat angry towards the government," he said.

The minister added that traders had the right to make money but advised against profiteering.

He urged consumers to report rogue traders.

Four days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin acknowledged complaints of inflation of basic goods prices in flood hit states, but said it was beyond the federal government's control.

Many people have gone online via social site Facebook and Whatsapp to complain about the problem  in Kelantan.

Petrol was allegedly sold at RM15 per litre, chicken at RM38 each, instant noodle at RM10 per packet and 1.5 litre mineral water at RM8 each.

Two days later the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry said it held a special sale for fish and vegetables at farmers' markets in states affected by the floods.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the sale would be held to ease the burden of flood victims.