IPOH – A sundry shop operator in Taiping is facing action under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which is a maximum fine of RM1 million or a maximum imprisonment of three years, or both, for hoarding sugar.
Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said an 11am raid yesterday at the sundry shop was conducted by an enforcement team from the ministry’s Taiping branch following complaints lodged by the public against the trader, who was believed to be hoarding and imposing conditions to buy sugar.
He said an officer pretending to be a buyer had purchased rice and then asked for sugar from the store’s employees, but was told that “sugar has run out”.
Subsequently, a team of uniformed enforcement officers entered the shop to conduct an inspection and asked the trader to declare stock under Section 8 of the Control of Supplies Act.
“As a result, an undeclared 156kg of coarse white sugar was found. The sugar worth RM446 was seized for further investigation,” he said. – Bernama, June 2, 2023
