An officer inspecting goods at a shop.
KUCHING (Dec 1): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) in Sarawak has taken note of the people’s complaints about the sudden increase in some essential items advertised on social media and will not hesitate to take action against offenders.
Stating that it is concerned with the problems faced by the people due to the increase in prices in the market, the ministry however said price controls are only implemented on certain essential goods such as sugar, cooking oil, wheat flour and price-controlled items during certain periods during the festive season.
Price control is to ensure that the price offered is determined by demand and supply factors, its state director Datu Stanley Tan said when responding to public queries on sudden price hike of some goods here.
“Action under Section 14 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act may be taken against any trader who is found to be taking unreasonable profit in supplying or offering to supply any goods or services,” Tan said.
Among the steps that can be taken by the ministry are firstly, implementing enforcement and inspections to address the issue of rising prices of goods reported through various continuous and aggressive approaches with the implementation of operations codenamed Ops Pasar, Ops Menu and Ops Catut throughout the country to address the issue of rising prices of certain goods.
Secondly, the ministry has launched Ops Pasar 2.0 on Nov 26, 2021. Its agencies have conducted inspections on 72 focus locations such as public markets, wholesalers’ premises, suppliers and retailers at the supplier and retailer level throughout the country involving 199 types of vegetables.
Of that number, a total of 140 notices under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 were submitted.
Thirdly, the ministry monitors the upward trend in prices of chicken, chicken eggs and vegetables and if the price situation worsens, price control actions (ceiling price setting) on these goods can be implemented to curb rising prices as implemented during the festive season, he said.
Fourthly, the ministry will implement engagement sessions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (Mafi) and agencies under it.
Engagement sessions were also conducted involving relevant industry players to find the best methods to curb the sharp rise in prices in the market to address the issue of the price of cooked food, said Tan.
Fifthly, the ministry launched Ops Menu to address the issue of cooked food prices nationwide from Nov 6, 2021 onwards.
In this Ops, a total of 3,713 inspections were conducted and out of that number, a total of 26 case actions were taken against traders who committed offences, he added.
Finally, the ministry will apply the legislation under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (Akhap) 2011 on any trader who takes advantage of the current situation to take unreasonable profits (profiteering) so as to cause excessive price increases in the market, he added.
“Any trader found to have committed an offense under Section 14 (1), Akhap 2011 can be fined up to RM500,000 for a corporation/company and up to RM100,000 for an individual or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years or both at once,” he cautioned.
Tan advised consumers to use the power they have, including making price comparisons and choosing premises that offer affordable prices and services.
Consumer power is the best precaution before being confused or manipulated by irresponsible traders, he pointed out.
Consumers are also advised to channel complete complaints including evidence such as receipts, photographs and address of the premises directly to KPDNHEP so that action can be taken quickly and effectively.
Tan said any complaint or inquiry can be channelled to the ministry through its official portal e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my, call centre 1800886800, email e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my, Ez ADU smartphone application, enforcement command centre (ECC) 03-88826245 or 6088, contact numbers at 03-80008000, Malaysia government call centre (MYGCC), WhatsApp to 019-2794317.
Otherwise aggrieved consumers could just lodge complaints at any of the 73 KPDNHEP offices throughout the country, said Tan.
The Sarawak State KPDNHEP ECC operation room is open from 8am to 6pm every working day and can be contacted at PPDNHEP Kuching at 082-466052 and its counterparts at Sri Aman (083-323836), Sarikei (084-657751), Sibu (084-335622), Kapit (084-799678), Bintulu (086-332176), Miri (085-412862), Limbang (085-217414), Mukah (084-872726) and Lawas (085-283650).
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