Ministry: 18 goods listed under Raya price-control scheme
A total of 18 goods have been listed under the Festival Season Maximum Pricing Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2024, in effect from now until April 19.
According to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Sarawak director Ma hew Dominic Barin, during the 15-day enforcement of the scheme, any trader caught selling the 18 products above the maximum price or failing to display pink price tags, could be issued compound or penalised under the Price Control and Anti Profiteering Act (Akhap) 2011.
He says the 18 controlled goods are yellow onions, imported garlic from China, dried curly chillies, red chillies, imported beef, imported old ginger, long beans, groundnut, ‘kelapa biji’ (coconut), grated coconut, imported cabbages from Indonesia and China (excluding Beijing), green mustard, cucumbers, tomatoes, imported potatoes from China, puffer fish (including ‘ikan mabung’), mackerel and ‘ikan selayang’ (scad).
Ma hew told this to reporters during a walkabout at Emart Matang here to monitor and check on compliance with the SHMMP.
“KPDN Sarawak has appointed a total of 189 enforcement officers and 97 price monitoring officers at strategic locations throughout Sarawak to monitor the supply and check on compliance with SHMMP in public markets, wet markets and supermarkets.
“The monitoring is carried out to detect non-compliance or investigate consumer complaints so that any non-compliance by traders can be acted upon in accordance with the established law,” said Ma hew.
Furthermore, he said KPDN Sarawak would enhance the omnipresence of enforcement officers and price monitoring officers at consumer hotspots to create a safe and ethical business and shopping environment.
“From Jan 1 until April 4 this year, KPDN Sarawak has inspected 24,076 premises, resulting in 288 cases with compound fines amounting to RM40,900, with an estimated seizure value totalling RM13,648,380.55,” said Ma hew.
Speaking on the current supply of eggs and sugar in Sarawak, Ma hew said both were sufficient throughout the state so far.
As for packet cooking oil, he said it was sold under controlled conditions by the traders, limiting purchases to two or three packets per consumer to ensure everyone would get a share.
Members of the public can channel any information or complaints on unethical activities of traders to KPDN via WhatsApp on 019-279 4317 / 019848 8000, via e-aduan.kpdnhep. gov.my, via call centre 1-800-88680, via smartphone application Ez ADU KPDN, or its Enforcement Command Centre (ECC) on 038882 6245 / 03-8882 6088.