He said the secretariat is an initiative by his ministry in cooperation with the economic affairs ministry.

“We (the ministries) realise that efforts to tackle the rising cost of living cannot be done in silo as it’s a national agenda.

“Thus, we’ve agreed to form this permanent secretariat, which can hold meetings, discussions, engagements, seminars, workshops and such at any time,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

Salahuddin added that the secretariat had been tasked to formulate a comprehensive action plan that would include short and long-term goals in tackling the rising cost of living.

The Pulai MP said the next step would be to engage with the agriculture and food security ministry, the transport ministry, the local government and development ministry, and 11 other ministries that are part of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol).

“This will enable us to formulate a strategic action plan to handle the issue,” he said.

He added that the secretariat will be headed by the secretaries-general from his ministry and the economic affairs ministry. It will also comprise representatives from the statistics department and the economic planning unit.

When asked if the secretariat would be taking over the roles and functions of the special task force on “jihad against inflation”, Salahuddin said the matter had not been decided.

The six-member special task force was formed under Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration in June to formulate strategies to tackle inflation and the rising prices of goods.

It was chaired by then communications and multimedia minister Annuar Musa. Other members were then ministers Tengku Zafrul Aziz (finance), Ronald Kiandee (agriculture and food industries), Alexander Nanta Linggi (domestic trade and consumer affairs minister), Mustapa Mohamed (economic affairs) and Chief Secretary Zuki Ali.

In the meantime, Salahuddin said his ministry had received assurance from the agriculture and food security ministry that food supplies were sufficient for the festive season.