PETALING JAYA, 14 Oct 2017:
In view of Deepavali celebration next week, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry has reminded all traders to adhere to the price control scheme – which took effect from yesterday until Oct 22 – and not to sell the 16 controlled items above the stipulated ceiling price.
Enforcement Division director Datuk Roslan Mahayudin said stern action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 would be taken against those who failed to adhere to the scheme’s regulations.
“We will carry out monitoring activities from time to time to ensure that traders adhere to the regulations. Our officers will be at various places, including wet markets, farmers’ markets and even hypermarkets,” he told reporters while checking the situation at Matahari Supermarket here.
He said among the items likely to experience a price hike were eggs and chicken.
Roslan also reminded traders to use the pink price tag to indicate that the item was among the 16 items listed under the price control scheme.
The 16 items are live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, local boned mutton, imported boned mutton, eggs (Grade A, B and C), red chilli, tomato, whole coconut, grated coconut, shallot (India), imported onion, imported potato (China) and dhal peas (Australia).
The scheme provides for a maximum sentence of RM100,000 fine and or maximum jail of three years or both or compound up to RM50,000 for individuals who fail to abide by the prices set. Companies face a fine of RM500,000 or compound of up to RM250,000 if found guilty.
Traders who failed to put up the pink price tags would also be slapped with a fine of up to RM10,000 or compound up to RM5,000 for individuals or a maximum fine of RM20,000 or compound of RM10,000 for companies.
– Bernama