Plugging sale of harmful pearls
Importer and seller of the banned item under probe for infringing prohibition order
No one is allowed to supply or put on sale or advertise to supply any product or service that breaches safety standards. Abdul Hadfiz Abdul Rahim, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism S’wak enforcement chief
A local importer of water- absorbent polymer pearls which have been prohibited by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism ( KPDNKK) from being sold in the country is now under investigation for contravening the prohibition order.
KPDNKK Sarawak enforcement chief Abdul Hadfiz Abdul Rahim said the importer is also a retailer of the pearls.
Import and sale of the pearls have been prohibited following incidents of children swallowing them. The pearls or balls are in fact accessories for home gardening. Incidents of children swallowing the balls have gone viral on social media, causing public alarm.
“We are in the final stages of investigation and we may bring the case to court. The importer is also a retailer who imported the pearls from overseas,” Abdul Hadfiz said yesterday, when asked on the current progress of their surveillance on traders of these pearls.
Last week, KPDNKK Sarawak prohibited the supply and sale of the water- absorbent polymer pearls under the brand ‘ Seven Colour Crystal Ball’ (SCCB). The enforcers subsequently launched a state-wide operation from Jan 18 to 23 to monitor the supply of the pearls throughout Sarawak after classifying the products dangerous if swallowed by children.
Abdul Hafidz said those still putting these balls on sale will be contravening a provision in the Consumers Protection Act 1999 and offenders face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or maximum three years in jail or both upon conviction.
“No one is allowed to supply or put on sale or advertise to supply any product or service that breaches safety standards,” he added.
KPDNKK assured consumers that they will act on manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors and retailers of the pearls apart from working closely with the Customs Department to effectively bar the import of the pearls.
They will also seize all SCCB pearls found in the market. On top of that, they will create greater public awareness on the existence of these dangerous balls. KPDNKK also wants all sale of SCCB pearls be stopped and their disposal be made safely.
Members of the public are advised to provide tip- off or report any complaint in regards to SCCB pearls via email to e- aduan@ kpdnkk. gov. my or call free hotline number 1800- 886- 800 or visit the Urban Transformation Centre ( or UTC) and any nearest office of KPDNKK Sarawak.