KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The 2026 Deepavali Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) will run from November 4 to 10, covering 11 essential items, up from nine last year.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said coconut milk and potatoes imported from China were the two new additions to provide more comprehensive price controls.

The other controlled items are large red onions, Indian shallots, Indian rose shallots, red chillies, imported bone-in mutton, Australian dhal, tomatoes, whole coconuts and grated coconut.

“Comparative analysis of the Deepavali 2025 and 2026 SHMMPs shows that most listed items have maintained stable prices.

“In Peninsular Malaysia, maximum prices have been reduced for five items, namely whole coconuts, grated coconut, large red onions, Indian shallots and Australian dhal, while prices for tomatoes, red chillies and Indian rose shallots remain unchanged,” he told a press conference on the scheme’s implementation here today.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh was also present.

Armizan said Sabah recorded price reductions for large red onions and Australian dhal, while Sarawak saw lower prices for grated coconut, Indian shallots and Australian dhal.

In Sarawak, prices for five items — tomatoes, red chillies, whole coconuts, Indian rose shallots and large red onions — remained unchanged.

In Labuan, only Australian dhal recorded a reduction in its maximum price, while seven other items retained last year’s prices.

Imported bone-in mutton was the only item to register an increase in maximum wholesale and retail prices across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

“The Deepavali 2026 SHMMP reflects current market conditions and aims to create a win-win situation for both consumers and traders. Consumers can enjoy reasonable prices, while traders are not placed under pressure through an excessively long implementation period,” he said.

The scheme will be enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, with Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) enforcement officers stationed at strategic locations, including public markets, farmers’ markets and shopping centres, to ensure compliance.

KPDN is also organising the Deepavali Rahmah Madani Sales Programme and the Servis Ihsan Madani@Petronas AutoExpert (SIM@PAX) programme from October 25 to Nov 7, involving 124 workshops nationwide.

The public can lodge complaints about price violations via WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, the ministry’s hotline at 1-800-886-800, email at e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my or the Ez ADU KPDN application. — Bernama