Mohd Hanizam (right) checks the prices of items at the poultry section of Giant Tabuan Jaya in Kuching. On his right is the hypermarket’s store manager Meringgai Jawa. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Sarawak has opened 1,160 investigation papers on business owners, based on inspections carried out on 94,576 premises between Jan 1 and Dec 15 this year.
The investigation covers various violations under the rules and regulations relevant to trade, business practices and consumers’ matters.
From the operations involving 188 KPDNHEP enforcement personnel, goods worth over RM16 million had been confiscated and compounds amounting to RM337,650 had been issued.
A total of 73 officers are stationed in Kuching.
For the ‘Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme’ exercises run throughout the entire year including Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak, 20 inspection papers had been opened, said KPDNHEP Sarawak enforcement chief Mohd Hanizam Kechek.
Mohd Hanizam (second right) stops by at the ‘Back-to-School’ section of Giant Tabuan Jaya in Kuching. On his left is the hypermarket’s store manager Meringgai Jawa.
He pointed out that this derived from the inspections conducted on 20,347 premises and the issuance of compounds amounting to RM3,750 under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
For this Christmas season, he said the ‘2019 Christmas Celebration Season Maximum Price Scheme’ would be in enforcement until this Dec 31.
“The scheme is being carried out as a measure to prevent the increase in the price of goods since Christmas is just around corner,” he said during an inspection on Giant Tabuan Jaya here yesterday.
Mohd Hanizam said the scheme, which had been put in place 20 years ago, had proven its effectiveness in bringing down the cost of living as far as the public was concerned.
For Christmas 2019 scheme, the listed price-controlled items are live chicken, standard chicken (slaughtered and dressed chicken without leg, head, liver and gizzard), live spent chicken, imported turkey, chicken wings, imported bone-in mutton, chicken eggs Grades A to C, tomatoes, green peppers (capsicum), imported round cabbages (Indonesia and China, not including Beijing cabbage), red chillies, imported potatoes (China), pork (belly) and pork (lean and fat).
The list is effective for Kuching, Lundu, Bau, Serian, Simunjan, Samarahan and Asajaya.
It is compulsory for businesses to sell the items listed in the price-control scheme not exceeding the maximum price cap, and attach the pink price tags on them.
“They must ensure that the pink price tags are being displayed clearly on the items for sale.
“Action will be taken should any business fail to adhere to the relevant regulations under the price-control scheme, in conjunction with the Christmas celebration,” said Mohd Hanizam.
Under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, any individual found to be selling the price-controlled goods at prices above the maximum cap would be fined a maximum of RM100,000, or face imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both; or be issued a compound of up to RM50,000.
For any company proven guilty in violating the scheme, it would be fined up to RM500,000, or pay a compound of up to RM250,000.
Meanwhile, KPDNHEP enforcement personnel are also making rounds to check the prices of school uniforms until Jan 3, with 11 premises located across Sarawak having been inspected.
On another subject, Mohd Hanizam said although petrol subsidy programme was not implemented in Sarawak, there were many other key items coming from Peninsular Malaysia and in this respect, the ministry would monitor closely the prices of goods that might increase due to higher cost of transportation.
On the minimum wage revision to RM1,200 in selected cities and municipalities nationwide effective next year, Mohd Hanizam said the ministry would also pay attention to this, with regard to possible hikes in the prices of daily items.
“Enforcement officers from the ministry are being stationed at locations with high customer traffic, such as markets, to carry out inspections and monitoring.”
Consumers wishing to lodge complaints can contact the ministry at 1-800 886 800, 082-466 052 (Kuching Enforcement Command Centre), 083-323 836 (Sri Aman), 084-657 751 (Sarikei), 084-335 622 (Sibu), 084-799 678 (Kapit), 085-412 862 (Mukah), 086-332 176 (Bintulu), 085-412 862 (Miri), or 085-217 414 (Limbang and Lawas).
Alternatively, send emails to [email protected], send WhatsApp texts at 019-279 4317, or visit the nearest KPDNHEP office.