KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 16 -- The recent spike in fish prices across the country is not just due to the monsoon season but is also being driven by "market manipulation" from wholesalers who are stockpiling supplies to artificially inflate prices, the chairman of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) has alleged.

Muhammad Faiz Fadzil claimed that some wholesalers are buying up large quantities of fish during peak seasons, storing them in cold rooms, and then releasing them slowly when market supply is tight to exploit the situation, Berita Harian reported.

He alleged that wholesalers would buy up supplies and then release these when supply is tight, taking the opportunity to raise prices.

"In reality, the supply already exists...