BY JAMES WONG and NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KUCHING: Officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living have detected 457 offences from 29,966 inspections they have carried out in the state this year.
The total value of seizures amounted to RM6,266,799.71, with fines imposed totalling RM334,388 from Jan 1 until Apr 4.
The ministry launched an operation on Mar 23 to ensure traders comply with the legislation enforced by it.
Its Sarawak Director, Matthew Dominic Barin said inspections are conducted on manufacturers, wholesalers, wet markets, farmers markets, night markets, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and grocery stores.
“We have mobilised 189 enforcement officers and 99 officers to monitor prices and supply of controlled goods throughout the month of Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
”Under the operation, a total of 3,017 premises have been inspected throughout Sarawak.
“We want to ensure that consumers get food supplies at a reasonable price and prevent any trader from making unreasonable profits in the pricing of their goods and services,” he said this during a walkabout at Satok Ramadan Bazaar here Tuesday (Apr 4).
The ministry has urged the public to lodge complaints should any trader violate regulations via the KPDN e-Complaint portal at http://e.aduan.kpdn.gov.my, or WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 or 019-848 8000.