RM22.3mil seized in price control enforcement

KUCHING: An estimated RM22,293,819 was successfully seized by the Sarawak Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) through 746 cases, with a compound value of RM228,700, said its director, Matthew Dominic Barin.
According to him, the most frequently identified offense is the failure to put price tags on controlled goods.
“This issue was found during 67,550 inspections carried out from Jan 1 to Oct 27 (Sunday) this year.
“We have implemented this throughout Sarawak and are instructing all traders not to violate the Maximum Festive Season Price Scheme (MFSP), which is in effect from today until Nov 3 (Sunday).
“Traders who violate these instructions may face action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, including prescribed penalties,” he said.
He made these comments at a press conference following a visit in conjunction with the implementation of the Deepavali 2024 MFSP at BS Supermart, Jalan Depo, today.
He explained that individuals selling price-controlled goods above the maximum price can be fined up to RM100,000 or imprisoned for up to three years; or both, or compounded up to RM50,000.
A company can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000, which is five times the penalty for individual traders.
“Meanwhile, individual traders can be fined up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000 for failing to put a pink price tag on controlled-price items.
“A company can be fined up to RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000,” he said.
Additionally, KPDN Sarawak announced the implementation of MFSP for seven days until Oct 3 (Sunday) in conjunction with the upcoming Deepavali festival.
“The eight items included in the scheme are bone-in mutton (imported); tomatoes; red chilies; coconut seeds (maximum price at the wholesale level only); grated coconut (maximum price at the retail level only); small shallots (India) including Ros; shallots (imported); and dal (Australian),” he said.