‘DO BUSINESS HONESTLY IN FESTIVE SEASONS’
Action will be taken against those who fail to comply, says minister
THE Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry yesterday urged traders to be ethical during the festive season.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, said it was crucial to get cooperation between traders and consumers to ensure the economy continued to grow.
“We want traders to conduct their businesses honestly and engage in healthy competition.
“We do not want customers to feel cheated.
“We do not want them to take advantage of consumers during the festive season,” he said after conducting the Festive Season Price Control Scheme checks in conjunction with Chinese New Year at the Plaza Perbandaran wet market here yesterday.
“If traders don’t understand, our officers, such as Friends of KPDNKK, are ready to provide guidance.
“For those who don’t follow rules and regulations, we have to take action. If consumers feel cheated, please report to us,” he said.
The ministry had listed 13 goods under the scheme, which is in force for 12 days, from yesterday to Feb 21.
The goods include live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, grade A, B and C chicken eggs, round cabbage from Indonesia and China (excluding Beijing cabbage), garlic from China, white pomfret, large prawns and pork.
Traders who failed to comply with the price-control regulations faced a fine of up to RM100,000 or a maximum of three years’ jail, or both, upon conviction, he said.
He added that individuals could be compounded up to RM50,000, while companies could be fined up to RM500,000, or compounded up to RM250,000, upon conviction.
Traders and consumers can check the prices on the ministry’s website — www.kpdnkk.gov.my.