KUALA TERENGGANU – The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) will refer to the deputy public prosecutor to determine the next course of action against a floating restaurant operator in Langkawi, who allegedly charged a customer RM1,196.80 for a sea bass weighing 7.48kg recently.
Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said the ministry had given an extension until November 17 to the operator to respond to the notice given, but still failed to obtain complete and detailed documents to enable further investigations to be carried out.
Accordingly, an investigation paper under Section 53(A) of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (AKHAP) was opened on the offence of failing to maintain and keep proper business documents.
“As the owner of the premises failed to submit the required documents such as operating costs and other costs, further investigations into the possible existence of an element of profiteering could not be carried out.
“If the trader is convicted of an offence under Section 53(A) of AKHAP, the company can be fined RM100,000 for the first offence, and RM250,000 for the second and subsequent offences under Section 57(A) of the same law,” he said after visiting a rockmelon fertigation farm in Kg Peradong today.
Also present was Terengganu Agriculture Department director Zulkepli Amin Mat Jusoh @ Yusof.
Following the sea bass issue that went viral, Rosol said KPDNHEP launched its Ops Menu operations nationwide starting November 6. As of yesterday, a total of 21 cases had seen action taken for various offences, with a total compound value of RM6,400.
Of the 21 cases, 10 involved offences under AKHAP, while another 11 were for offences under the Weights and Measures Act 1972.
“Officers and personnel involved have inspected 2,800 premises, including restaurants nationwide, and will continue (to do so) until December 31.
“The highest number of cases detected was in Sabah with nine cases, followed by Johor (three), Penang (two), Perak (one), Terengganu (one), Kelantan (one), Perlis (one), Pahang (one), Selangor (one), and Sarawak (one),” he said. – Bernama, November 21, 2021
