KPDNKK keeping tabs on traders at shopping centres
SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) made its presence felt at major shopping complexes and Sibu Central Market yesterday to ensure traders conduct ethical business practices.
Two teams of enforcement officers from KPDNKK Sibu led by its deputy chief Ganda Jirap carried out inspections to ensure traders did not overprice essential items such as cooking oil, milk powder and sugar.
They also checked to ensure price tags were properly displayed to facilitate consumers in making decisions.
Among others, they checked on weighing scales used for business which are to be sent for recalibration every 12 months.
“It is part of our ministry’s programme of “Omnipresence” at strategic shopping malls and marketplace,” KPDNKK Sibu branch chief Kasim Mana told thesundaypost yesterday.
At the same time, the officers also checked on cheap sales rolled out by supermarkets, hypermarkets, boutiques, shoes gallery, spectacles shop and others.
The cheap sale is for the Early Year Sale from March 1 till 31.
Kasim disclosed that a total of 58 cheap sale permits had been issued so far for the Early Year Sale.
He further said they had acted on 11 cases thus far this year for holding cheap sale without permit.
He also reminded traders that the cheap sale permits must be conspicuously displayed.
“Also, ensure not less than 50 per cent of the items in their premises are put on sale when rolling out a cheap sale and minimum discount of not less than 10 per cent of the previously stet offer price (POP),” Kasim explained.
Adding on, he warned: “Action can be taken under Trade Descriptions Act 2011 if traders manipulate the POP to give an impression of big discount being offered to entice shoppers.”
On penalty, he said an offender is liable to a penalty of not more than RM100,000 for flouting the Act.
For enquiries, call the ministry’s hotline 1 800 886 800 or office number 084-329202. Or, drop complaints at e-aduan@kpdnkk. gov.my.