(Dec 31): The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has asked fast-food chains KFC and McDonald's to explain the price hikes of their food items recently.

Deputy enforcement director Iskandar Halim Sulaiman told Malaysiakini that the operators of the two fast-food chains have until Jan 5 to submit their reports.

“We issued them the notices under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. The notice requires them to explain to us why they increased their prices,” he said.

“There are laws to ensure consumers' satisfaction plus this issue was also highlighted on social media with the press taking it up. That’s why we have to go in and ask them why did you increase your prices,” he told Malaysiakini.

Iskandar stressed that the two were merely issued with a notice and not a warning.

“This is not a warning letter. It is a notice urging them to explain. We'll wait until Jan 5. We can’t speculate on their reasons now.”