GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) aims to curb profiteering by computer sellers, since there is now renewed demand for electronic gadgets due to the home-based online learning.
Its director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghappar said that with that in mind, the ministry sent notices to wholesalers and major gadget shops in the state to submit their price lists, from which the department would check the latest gadget prices and make comparisons with last year’s prices.
“We will know whether the shops have increased prices of the items, as complained by the consumers,” said Ridzuan after conducting a spot check at Aeon hypermarket at the Queensbay Mall here today.
State International and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Hakim Hussain led the spot check.
Ridzuan said their men checked all major premises selling the gadgets to ensure that the traders do not raise the prices of the items due to its demand.
“Our check established that only the Samsung brand of tablets – priced at RM559 – is sold out and out of stock. Other brands and high-end gadgets are still available,” he remarked.
Commenting on prices of essential items, Ridzuan said there is sufficient supply at all major supermarkets and hypermarkets in the state.
He added the ministry had received many complaints that the traders failed to display price tags on food items at wet markets and night markets.
“Since January 1 until now, we have conducted 326 checks, of which there were 80 cases where traders failed to display price tags.
“We have seized RM87,335 worth of goods from the traders and we have compounded the traders a total of RM7,550,” Ridzuan added. – The Vibes, February 11, 2021.
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