GEORGE TOWN – Authorities manning the conditional movement control order(CMCO) for the major population centers in Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas, have assured that there is sufficient food supply to last throughout the lockdown.
State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs enforcement director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Bakar said inspections conducted by the department showed that consumers in the affected areas have sufficient food supply.
"We have also stepped up operations and mobilised our officers to make sure that no trader takes advantage of the CMCO to increase prices of goods.
"This was also aimed to prevent people from panic buying. We also monitor and conduct daily checks to ensure sufficient supply of face masks and hand sanitizers," he added.
Mohd Radzi said this after visiting the Giant Hypermarket in Bayan Baru.
He said on November 5 alone, they conducted 3,384 checks for face masks and 2,491 checks for sanitizers in the state.
Part of the Balik Pulau district has been placed under the CMCO for two weeks from today after a spike in the number of positive Covid-19 cases.
Since January, the consumer affairs division has conducted a total of 37, 902 inspections on business premises to ensure the compliance of the ministry’s requirements by the respective operators.
"I want the consumers to use the phone, or email or WhatsApp and other facilities to complain against errant traders who increase prices of goods," he said.
Mohd Ridzuan added that they have received a total of 1,484 complaints from consumers so far this year.
"A total of 456 complaints over online purchasing and 446 on prices and misleading advertisements were recorded," he said. – The Vibes, November 6, 2020
