KUCHING: Following inspections under the Anti-Profiteering Price Control Act 2011, over RM13.6 million worth of goods was seized by officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) from 24,076 business premises.
A total of 288 cases were generated from the overall number of premises inspected throughout Sarawak, with a total compound of RM40,900 imposed from January 1 to April 4, 2024.
According to Sarawak KPDN Director Matthew Dominic Barin, the highest number of offences involved complaints related to controlled prices exceeding the maximum price, as well as online complaints.
“So, we hope that traders throughout Sarawak will comply with the Maximum Price Scheme for the Hari Raya Puasa 2024 season so that consumers can enjoy the set prices.
“For your information, we will enhance the presence of personnel by deploying 189 enforcement officers and 97 price monitoring officers throughout Sarawak to monitor during the implementation of this festive scheme,” he said.
He said this while addressing the media during the Maximum Price Scheme for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Emart Matang, here, today.
Furthermore, he stated that the Maximum Price Scheme for Hari Raya Puasa 2024 will be in effect for 15 days, including five days before the celebration, one day during the celebration, and nine days after the celebration.
A total of 18 types of controlled goods were announced for the implementation of the scheme, including large yellow onions, imported large red onions, garlic (China), curly dried chillies, red chillies, imported beef, imported old ginger, long beans, peanuts, coconut (wholesale only).
In addition, grated coconut (retail only), round imported cabbage (Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing), mustard greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and imported potatoes (China), mackerel including scad (sized between 8 and 12 fish per kilogram) and selar fish (sized between 8 and 12 fish per kilogram).
“Monitoring will be conducted on the designated goods, and all controlled prices will be marked with pink-red colour,” he explained.
Therefore, through a statement issued, KPDN informed that strict action would be taken against traders who violate the regulations under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
“Individuals can be fined up to RM100,000 or imprisoned for not more than three years or both, or compounded up to RM50,000 for selling controlled goods above the maximum price. Meanwhile, companies can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000 for the offence.
“For the offence of failing to display pink-red price tags for controlled goods, individuals can be fined up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000, while companies can be fined up to RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000.
Therefore, KPDN urges the public to cooperate by reporting any complaints through appropriate channels, including WhatsApp at 019-8488000/019-2794317 or through the complaint portal (e-aduan.kpdn.gov.my) and others.
