2 caught not displaying pink price tags for gazetted items
SIBU: Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism ( KPDNKK) yesterday took action against two traders here for not displaying pink price tags for gazetted items under the Chinese New Year Price Control Scheme 2017.
A total of 13 items are gazetted under the festive scheme for Sibu, enforced from yesterday till Feb 2.
K PDN K K S i b u b r a nc h chief Kasim Mana said it was imperative for traders to display pink price tags for the gazetted items throughout the duration of the scheme.
He added: “Displaying of pink price tags enables consumers to differentiate gazetted items from the usual goods.
“Failing to display pink price tags during the duration of the festive scheme constitutes an offence under Price Control and Anti- Profiteering Act 2011, where an individual can be fined not exceeding RM10,000 upon conviction or compounded up to RM5,000.
“Companies, on the other hand, can be fined up to RM20,000 or compounded not more than RM10,000.”
Kasim was speaking to reporters after officiating at the launching of the festive scheme at Farley Supermarket here yesterday.
Among those present were KPDNKK Sibu branch deputy chief Ganda Jirap, Farley Supermarket directing manager Lau Eijing and supermarket manager Yeo Soon Teck.
On non-compliance with various Acts, Kasim disclosed that they had acted on 26 cases since Jan 1 this year, including the two cases for not displaying pink price tags.
From these cases, he added, they confiscated goods worth RM3,661.
In giving the breakdown, he said there were nine cases each for flouting the Weight and Measures Act and Price Control and AntiProfiteering Act.
As for the Trade Descriptions Act, they had taken up eight cases, he added.
Meanwhile, Kasim reminded traders not to take advantage of the coming festive celebration to fleece consumers by hiking prices of goods indiscriminately.
He cautioned that they would take appropriate action under the Price Control and AntiProfiteering Act 2011 if there was any element of profiteering.
“I hope hair salons, eateries and car care centres will not charge higher than the usual charges. If they hike prices excessively, we can take action under Section 21 of the Act - where they are required to provide justification on the price increase.
“In this case, they will have to reply within one week, failing which action can be taken against them,” he said.
Turning to consumers, he advised them to bring along their receipts when lodging complaints at their office and urged them to put on their thinking cap by comparing prices and going for the best deal.
He also advised them to buy according to their needs and not wants.
The public are urged to call 084329202 or 335622 if they notice any hike in prices of essential items or unhealthy business practices.