KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 19 -- Prices of essential items have reportedly risen in Johor, Perak, Kelantan and Pahang over the past week, believed due to a shortage of supply.

Berita Harianreported that its checks at shops in Tampoi, Johor showed the price of chicken has risen from RM6.80 per kilogram (kg) last week to RM8 now.

Prices of vegetables such as long beans, string beans, and sawihas also nearly doubled according to the report. The biggest increase was with chilli, which went from RM 12 per kilogramme last week to RM 20 per kilogramme now.

In some cases there, the price of bottled oil had also increased by up to RM7.

"If the prices or essential items keep rising after this, surely consumers will be affected," Parmi Suroji, a 50-year...