THE Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has listed nine items under the implementation of the Deepavali 2025 Festival Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) which will be effective from October 16 to 22.
Its Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the seven-day SHMMP covers four days before Deepavali, one day during the festival and two days after, with price controls imposed at the wholesale and retail levels to ensure consumers are not burdened.
“We are adding another item this year, namely ‘ros’ onions or small Indian ‘ros’ type shallots. Last year there were only eight, but this year nine items are listed under the Deepavali 2025 maximum price scheme,” he said.
Among the items listed are imported bone-in mutton, tomatoes, red chillies, small Indian shallots, small Indian ‘Ros’ type shallots, large imported shallots, Australian dal beans, coconuts (maximum price at wholesale level only), and grated coconut (maximum price at retail level only).
He said the maximum price setting was made based on careful consideration of current factors including production costs, transportation, wage rates, weather conditions, as well as supply and demand in the market.
He added that the assessment also took into account feedback from industry, traders and other government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to ensure fair implementation for all parties.
Armizan also explained that the implementation of the SHMMP is based on the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 which gives the ministry the authority to set maximum prices on essential goods during the festive season to curb profiteering activities.
He said that the price control involved is not to pressure traders, but rather to ensure reasonable price stability and prevent consumers from being exploited by a few parties who take advantage of increased demand.
“We hope that if traders can sell cheaper, that would be great, but do not exceed the maximum price that has been set,” he said.
He also announced that 2,300 enforcement officers and 1,000 KPDN price monitoring officers nationwide will be mobilized throughout the implementation period of the SHMMP Deepavali this year to ensure full compliance.
According to him, strict action will be taken against any trader who fails to comply with the maximum price or does not display the price tag clearly, including a fine of up to RM100,000 or three years' imprisonment for individuals, while companies can be fined up to RM500,000.
He also advised consumers to channel complaints if they find any violation of the set maximum price through official channels such as the KPDN e-Complaint portal, WhatsApp Complaint 019-2794317 or the hotline 1-800-886-800.
At the same time, Armizan said the KPDN is also intensifying the organisation of the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme (PJRM) in areas with large Indian communities, particularly in Selangor, Penang, Perak and Negeri Sembilan, to enable the public to obtain daily necessities at lower prices ahead of Deepavali.
He said the Rahmah sales involved are held as a complement to the implementation of the SHMMP, to provide more choices to consumers. – October 13, 2025
