Q1: What is the role of CAP?
A1: The CAP is set up to look into complaints and feedback on profiteering or unjustified price increases using increases in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as an excuse.
Q2: How will CAP help prevent profiteering and unjustified price increases using GST as an excuse? What kind of cases will CAP investigate?
A2: The CAP will work closely with CASE, industry associations and grassroots organisations to look into feedback concerning unreasonable price increases attributed to the GST increase.
With Singapore's open economy, market competition will generally serve as a check on excessive price increases. Organisations such as CASE also help to advance consumers' interests by educating consumers, promoting an environment of fair and ethical practices, and investigating unscrupulous businesses and practices.
The CAP will complement the work of existing consumer organisations. It will focus on unjustified price increases attributed to the GST increase.
Q3: What kind of price increase is deemed reasonable?
A3: Price increases are driven by many factors. In reviewing complaints, the CAP will have to examine the circumstances and facts of each case, working closely with CASE and local grassroots organisations
Q4: If vendors really do increase their price by too much, what are the avenues for consumers to reflect the situation?
A4: If vendors raise prices unreasonably and attribute it to the GST increase, consumers can highlight the vendors to CAP. The CAP will work with the local grassroots organizations and CASE to investigate the complaints, and engage the vendors to address the issue.
