MIRI: Premises involved in the controlled price scheme on essential items for the festive celebration must continue complying with the trading rules and regulations even after the campaign ended Monday.
With prices back to normal, operators and proprietors should not raise them up indiscriminately or they will have to face the music, warned the Miri office of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism.
Miri enforcement chief Zakaria Awang cautioned that a sole proprietor could face a hefty fine of RM100,000 and RM250,000 for infringement under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
“We view this seriously and will not hesitate to take action against the offenders,” he cautioned.
Among the 18 types of goods under the controlled price scheme for the Hari Raya period were live chickens (RM6.70 a kg), standard chickens – dressing with legs, heads, livers and biles (RM8 a kg), super chickens (RM8.80), imported mutton (RM30), local beef (RM23), chicken eggs grade A (65.0g to 69.9g each) – 35 sen, grade B (60.0g to 64.9g each) – 34 sen and grade C (55.0g to 59.9g each) – 33 sen.
Zakaria assured supplies of the above were sufficient to meet consumer demand.
“The supplies of these 18 types of goods remain stable on normal days and the prices are as usual fixed by the ministry,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Zakaria said they would continue routine inspection of shops and shopping malls to ensure operators and proprietors comply with regulations.
He sought the cooperation of the public to report to the branch office here should they come across any of the mentioned goods being sold above the ceiling rates.
They may call the hotline at 085-412862 during operation hours.