00:00Reunion dinners on the eve of Chinese New Year are said to be a costly affair for families
00:07eating out, with several Chinese banquet restaurants raising the prices of their packages this
00:12year.
00:13Vincent Yap, the operations manager of Hee Lai Ton restaurant's SS13 branch, said the
00:18establishment's packages have increased by about RM100 compared to last year due to the
00:23rise in ingredients and operational costs.
00:26Wong Tew Hoon, president of the Pan Malaysia Kusu Restaurants and Chefs Association, said
00:31its member outlets raised their reunion meal package prices by about 3% on average this
00:37year, but said these prices would be fixed throughout the festive season.
00:40Meanwhile, Maple Palace restaurant in Penang sought to buck the recent trend of fewer bookings
00:46by offering slightly cheaper meal packages.
00:49Its manager, Alex Teo, said they have reduced their package prices by about 13% in the hope
00:54of attracting more customers.
00:57According to the Penang Hindu Association, the prices of essential goods have surged
01:00by up to 400% ahead of Chinese New Year and Thai Pusat.
01:05The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry said it would conduct daily inspections to
01:09monitor prices and ensure they remain under control.
01:13Natasha Bust, FMT News.
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