Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Saturday said that the government is serious in tackling the rising cost of living.

He also stressed that the newly set-up Special Cabinet Committee to tackle rising cost of living, is not an eye-wash or gimmick.

"It is not a gimmick. For as long as the situation does not improve, the special committee will review at all aspects," he said at a press conference after visiting several business outlets on Saturday to look into the prices of daily essentials and restaurant ingredients.

Muhyiddin said the government had also a number of mechanisms for price control, including expanding the import permit to increase supply.

He also urged the the public to be patient for the special committee to present their findings by the end of the month.

Muhyiddin also stressed that traders must display price tags as required under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

During his visit, Muhyiddin was accompanied by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek and Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

They had visited the Selayang NSK Supermarket, Selayang Daily Market, Snofa Mini Market in Greenwood Park and a restaurant in Taman Sri Gombak.

Muhyiddin, who spent about 30 minutes at each outlet, also chatted with some of the customers on the premises and listened to their complaints.

On Wednesday, Muhyiddin announced the setting up of a Special Cabinet Committee to tackle the rising cost of living.

The Special Cabinet Committee will also monitor traders who raise the price of goods in order to make a profit.