No report so far on price hike of beverages

KUCHING: The enforcement director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said no report thus far has been made on price hikes of beverages following the increase in sugar price by 11 sen.

He said the ministry was closely monitoring the matter in relation to price hike as the public were aware of the recent increase of sugar price in the market. But, so far no traders have taken the opportunity to raise the price of beverages.

“We will continue to monitor this from time-to-time,” he told a press conference at their headquarters here yesterday.

Roslan added the price hike of goods was seasonal, and the issue of price hikes wouldn’t have arisen if there were sufficient supplies.

In another development, he said the ministry had carried out 13,257 inspections of business premises in the state as of March 6, recording 233 business misconducts and confiscated goods worth RM224,000, and collection of compounds totaling RM26,400.

On another subject, Roslan said the ministry had set four ‘cheap sale’ seasons for shopping centres and outlets this year - March 1 - 31 (Early Year Sale); June 15 - Aug 31 (1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival); Nov 1 - Dec 31 (1Malaysia Year End Sale), and a time frame that traders could choose themselves.

“Traders have to abide by five conditions, namely,that at least 50 per cent of all goods displayed for sale in the business premises must be offered at cheap sale price.

The ministry’s chief enforcement Abdul Hafdiz Abdul Rahim was also present at the press conference.

The suspect being escorted by two policemen at the police station.

Hafdiz (left) and Roslan (right) during the press conference at the state KPDNKK headquarters in Kuching yesterday.