‘Let’s have zero violation of Gawai Season Price Control Scheme’
KUCHING: Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) is hoping to see zero cases of violation of Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 during this year’s implementation of Gawai Season Price Control Scheme from May 27 to June 1.
KPDNKK Deputy Minister Dato Henry Sum Agong said that there were eight cases last year, where traders were found to have not used the pink price tags to indicate that the item is a controlled good.
He added that Sarawak has around 300 enforcement officers and 100 plainclothes Price Monitoring Officers (PPH) who are constantly keeping watch to make sure traders are adhering to the scheme.
“I urge all markets and supermarkets to follow instructions given by the ministry. We don’t want to punish you, so please cooperate,” he said yesterday, during the launch of the Gawai Season Price Control Scheme at Servay Supermarket, EG Mall.
KPDNKK has mobilised over 2,000 enforcement officers as well as over 1,000 PPH nationwide to monitor the price of controlled goods under this season’s scheme.
Henry explained that PPH are engaged on contract to assist the ministry during festive seasons.
“We also ask members of the public, including ‘Friends of KPDNKK’, to send us a report or complaint if you see any traders who flouts the law,” he said.
During his visit to Servay, he was accompanied state KPDNKK director Datuk Stanley Tan and chief enforcement officer Abd Hafidz Abd Rahim. Also present was Servay Supermarket (Kuching) operations head Eric CT Yong.
Among the items listed as controlled goods are live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, grade A, B and C chicken eggs, chicken wings, imported round cabbage (Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing cabbage), garlic (China), and pork.
Those who fail to adhere to the regulations under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years or both.
The individuals involved could also be compounded up to RM50,000 while the company involved could be fined up to RM500,000 or RM1 million for subsequent offences or a compound of up to RM250,000.
They also must display this pink price tag on controlled goods. Anyone found guilty of not displaying the tag will face a fine of up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000.
On Ramadan bazaars, Henry said that KPDNKK would not be stationing enforcement officers there but there will be monitoring operations in the area.