[UPDATED] Govt warns traders against overpricing during flood, festive period

KUALA LUMPUR – The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) has warned traders that they will be hit with stiff penalties, if they flout price control regulations amid the current flood tragedy and over the Christmas season.

It reminded traders that they can be punished by the court with a fine of up to RM100,000 or face three years’ prison, or both.

Alternatively, individuals may also be slapped with a RM50,000 compound, if they violate the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (AKHAP).

It warned that companies caught overcharging are liable to be fined up to RM500,000 by the court, or be served with a compound of RM250,000.

“During this monsoon season, KPDNHEP will continue to monitor the current situation of prices for goods, especially under its maximum price scheme, to ensure that no trader takes advantage of the situation by selling goods above the maximum price set by the government,” the ministry said in a statement made available to The Vibes.

It said individual retailers who fail to display prices of controlled items can receive a court fine of up to RM10,000 or be issued a RM5,000 compound, while companies can be issued a court fine of RM20,000 or receive a RM10,000 compound.

“For now, consumers are advised to continue to wisely manage their daily expenses and make purchases at premises that offer reasonable prices, especially during the current monsoon season,” it added.

The ministry said based on data compiled by its National Price Council Division, the standard prices of chicken remained stable in states affected by the floods.

It said on Monday, the price of chicken in Selangor was RM8.88/kg, RM8.96/kg in Kuala Lumpur, RM8.82/kg in Pahang, and RM8.91 in Kelantan.

It said the average prices of vegetables were lower than last week’s based on surveys on prices of mustard greens, cucumber, and red chilli. Meanwhile, other types of vegetables such as long beans, local and imported cabbage, tomatoes, and red chilli paste saw a rise in average prices.

Uncertain weather conditions

“The average price at the national level for some types of fish has seen an increase – cencaru (torpedo scad), mackerel, and sardines – due to uncertain weather conditions.

“As a measure to stabilise the price of certain goods, the ministry has implemented and enforced the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Scheme (SHMKM), the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP), and Ops Pasar 2021 to ensure consumers can enjoy reasonable prices.”

For SHMKM, price controls have been enforced on live and slaughtered chickens, eggs, long beans, red chilli, tomatoes, mustard greens, cabbage (from Indonesia and China, with the exception of Beijing), as well as cucumber.

The ministry said SHMKM has been in effect since December 7, and is expected to end on December 31, involving 12 types of goods,

SHMMP came into effect today, and is also expected to run until December 31. The scheme for the Christmas season involves eight types of goods.

The goods with controlled prices comprise imported turkey, live chickens (maximum price applies only in Sarawak), chicken wings (in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan), imported mutton, green Bengal pepper, live pigs (control at farm level only), pig stomach (Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan), and pork and lard (Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan).

The ministry said throughout both schemes, a total of 19,237 premises were inspected nationwide at the wholesale and retail distribution levels.

From the total, it recorded 60 cases of traders selling controlled items beyond ceiling prices.

Additionally, the ministry said it has implemented Ops Pasar 2021 between November 27 and December 12 where a total of 323 premises were inspected, involving 740 types of goods.

During the operation, it issued 590 notices under Section 21 of AKHAP to businesses from various levels of the distribution chain including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to investigate suspected profiteering. – The Vibes, December 23, 2021