Don’t use weather as excuse to up prices, traders warned

KUCHING: The Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry ( KPDNKK) has warned traders against taking advantage of the current erratic weather to raise prices of goods and food, especially those categorised as controlled items.

Failure to comply with this would mean stern action against them, said deputy minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong.

“We’re quite lucky that there’s no devastating floods in Sarawak, but we must be ready for any eventuality – (we need to) stock-up food to ensure sufficient supply.

“With regard to those who raise prices of goods indiscriminately, the fines imposed upon them is not small – up to RM100,000 for any individual found to have failed to adhere to the regulations under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011; and RM500,000 for any company committing the offence,” he told reporters after the inspection on Medan Niaga Satok here yesterday in connection with the festive season price control scheme for Chinese New Year, of which the enforcement period

With regard to those who raise prices of goods indiscriminately, the fines imposed upon them is not small – up to RM100,000 for any individual found to have failed to adhere to the regulations under the Price Control and AntiProfiteering Act 2011; and RM500,000 for any company committing the offence. Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister

would be for 12 days – Jan 23 to Feb 3 this year.

Henry said throughout this period, KPDNKK enforcement personnel would conduct regular checks on prices at various commercial establishments such as markets and retail outlets, particularly those categorised as controlled items under the festive season scheme of which the price tags must be marked pink.

The deputy minister called on all traders and those from the business community to work together with the government and also be responsible in their part to help alleviate the burden of consumers in view of the rising cost of living.

“We, the ministry, never want to fine or compound the traders but if they fail to comply with the law of the country, then it is our responsibility to make them face the repercussion,” he said.

The KPDNKK has listed 13 items under Chinese New Year pricing scheme namely live, standard and super chicken; Grade A, B and C chicken eggs; imported round cabbage ( Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing cabbage), garlic (from China), white pomfret, large prawns and pork.

Meanwhile, data from KPDNKK showed that for Sarawak last year, it recorded 54 cases, 13,124 in the number of premises inspected, RM7,592.80 worth of confiscation value and RM6,650 amount of compounds collected. The majority of these figured were registered in Kuching.

Henry was accompanied by KPDNKK Sarawak unit heads Robin Emerson Empura (supply, pricing and anti-profiteering) and Bernard Moskal (intellectual property).