KAPIT: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has warned individuals or traders here against raising prices or hoarding controlled items during the Ramadan and Aidilfitri season.
The branch head here, Englebert Inggath Desmond Japar, urged traders in Kapit Division to conduct their business ethically by using legal weights and measures, not selling counterfeit goods, displaying price tags on goods for sale and complying with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“If it is found that there are traders who commit offences stern action will be taken against them,” he said in a media statement yesterday after monitoring the implementation of ‘Ops Pantau’ (Monitoring Op) at the Ramadan bazaar and public market here starting April 3.
Englebert said the launch of ‘Ops Pantau’ in Kapit Division was one of the government’s measures to help the people in ensuring consumer rights were protected, especially during the month of Ramadan.
He said checks on the Ramadan bazaar, retail shops and online sales would be carried out more frequently.
“The purpose of ‘Ops Pantau’ is to ensure that the supply of essential goods for Ramadan and Aidilfitri is sufficient, and the prices of goods are reasonable and products are of quality,” he said.
Meanwhile, during the two-day monitoring, the ministry detected nine cases of offences under the Control of Supply Act 1961, Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and Trade Descriptions Act 1972.
Englebert said action was taken against these offences which were mainly detected around Kapit and Song.
He said complaints could be channelled to the KPDNHEP Kapit Operations Room at 084-799678, KPDNHEP e-complaint portal (https://eaduan.kpdnhep.gov.my) or the toll-free line 1 800 886 800; email aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my; and Ez ADU KPDNHEP smartphone application.
