SIBU: Consumers are urged to avoid patronising roadside hawkers using hand-held weighing scales as they could end up getting short-changed.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) Sibu branch deputy chief Ganda Jirap said this was because the instrument (of not more than 5kg) was not permitted for business transactions.
“Furthermore, the indicators for the minimum and maximum weigh rest at the same position, which is rather confusing.
“Because of hand movements, the weight may not be accurate and consumers could end up paying more for products that weighed less.
“There is no element of cheating here, just that the instrument is inappropriate for trading use. It is meant for home use,” Ganda told The Borneo Post yesterday. Turning to traders, he warned that they could be charged under Section 19 of the Weight and Measure Act 1972.
“Upon conviction, they could be fined up to RM500.”
He also reminded traders, including fish mongers, against placing water on the pans of their weighing scales to add weight.
This is tantamount to cheating and the offender could be fined not exceeding RM4,000 or jailed not exceeding three years or both, he warned.
He also mentioned that the single-faced weighing scales below 30kg were disallowed for business use.
Traders need to send their instrument for recalibration once every 12 months to ensure that it is certified fit for use.
On the weighing scale meant for public use in Sibu Central Market, he disclosed that it had been sent for repair.
He said the problem would be resolved by next week.
“If the instrument is beyond repair, we will explore other options such as purchasing a new one. We hope members of the public can be patient for the time being,” he said.