‘No reports on sale of fake alcohol in S’wak so far’
MIRI: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs ( KPDNHEP) is on the lookout against the sale of fake alcohol in the state despite not having received any report thus far.
KPDNHEP Sarawak deputy director Mohd Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the ministry will work closely with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to check against such possible sale, as fake alcohol can potentially put consumers’ lives at risk.
“So far, we have yet to receive any report regarding the selling of fake alcohol in the state but we will work hand-in-hand with Customs (to monitor the situation).
“We have to be responsive to prevent similar incidents from happening in the state,” he told the media yesterday, when asked to comment on the death of 19 people in the Klang Valley from suspected alcohol poisoning believed to have been caused by consumption of fake alcohol.
Earlier, Mohd Nawawi led a team to conduct a Sales and Services Tax (SST) enforcement operation at Emart Riam here.
“This Ops Catut 5.0 operation is to check on business premises such as hypermarkets, restaurants and telecommunication outlets to ensure there is no profiteering during the transition from GST (Goods and Services Tax) to SST,” he said.
He added KPDNHEP will periodically conduct such operations to ensure traders adhere to regulations as well as to protect the interest of consumers.
Mohd Nawawi stressed that KPDNHEP will not hesitate to take action against errant traders, and called on the public to report to the ministry via WhatsApp ( 019-2794317) if they have been cheated by such traders.
“Complaints need to come with relevant supporting documents such as receipts, location of business premises, as well as the complainant’s name and contact number.”
To- date, he said the KPDNHEP Sarawak has received a total of 46 complaints, half of which have been referred to Customs.