KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan today said there was no possibility for the cost of living to go down, adding that this was the reality faced all over the world.

The Malay Mail Online reported he said this during an interview on TV3's talk show, “Wanita Hari Ini”.

The minister, who recently courted controversy for suggesting Malaysians to take up two jobs, also advised Malaysians to change their attitudes in order to cope with the current lifestyle and learn to supplement their income.

He also reportedly urged the people to look online for ways to earn more and in the process elevate Malaysia's status as an enterprising country.

“My daughter buys her headscarves online. My son buys his shoes online. Food also we buy online. But why are we just buying? Now we must be the sellers too,” he was quoted as saying.

Ahmad Maslan also urged the public to stop giving excuses and instead look for new business opportunities, the news portal reported.

He also advised Malaysians to be smart consumers and only buy from ethical vendors in order to manage rising costs.

At the end of last year, the deputy minister complained that he was being unfairly maligned by the media and the public following his call for Malaysians to take up two jobs to cope with the rising cost of living.

He said he had only good intentions when he suggested that in addition to the jobs they already had, Malaysians should look at starting online businesses.

According to him, what he had said was Malaysians loved social media and could turn this into a profitable exercise by venturing into e-trade and e-commerce.