Its minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the list of prices would be displayed on the ministry's website for the people's benefit.

'The prices will be checked and revised accordingly each day to help consumers make informed choices when purchasing goods, especially the essentials,' he said.

He was speaking after launching a caring and residents' integration programme of the National Anti-Drugs Agency with the civil society for the Johor Baharu parliamentary constituency in Larkin, here, today.

Mr Shahrir, who is also the member of parliament for Johor Baharu, said the price monitoring and listing would later be extended to the wet markets and mini markets.

Asked about the slow price reduction of goods by traders although the oil price had dropped five times, he said it was different for the two.

'The world crude oil price had dropped sharply, resulting in the local fuel price to be reduced five times but this cannot happen for other goods as there are other factors involved,' he said.

On the Wanita Umno leadership transition issue between Ms Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and her No. 2 Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Mr Shahrir who is also a party Supreme Council member, said it should not divide the movement.

'A contest will have some effects but this should not be to the extent of causing unity, which must instead be preserved,' he said. -- BERNAMA