Abdul Hafidz (right) and his officers inspecting a fish stall to check on compliance.
Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism officers at the Petanak Market. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Stern action awaits traders flouting the Price Control Act and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, Weight and Measures Act 1972, Consumer Protection Act 1999 and the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
This warning came from Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, saying those found guilty would have their business licences revoked.
The ministry’s deputy state director Abdul Hafidz Abdul Rahim said 162 officers from its enforcement unit and 134 officers from its price monitoring unit would be on the lookout for those flouting the regulations.
He said individuals breaking the regulations could be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed a maximum of three years or both, while companies face a fine of not more than RM250,000.
Speaking to reporters after taking part in an operation codenamed ‘Ops Catut’ at Petanak Market here, he advised those with complaints to email the ministry at [email protected] or call toll free line 1-800-886-800 or go to any of the ministry’s office in the state.
Ever since ‘Ops Catut’ (Profiteering Ops) was launched, he said they had inspected 10,273 business premises across the state and confiscated goods with a total of RM5,167 from 38 cases from traders who had committed various offences under the acts.
Yesterday, during the ‘Ops Catut’ from 4am at Petanak Market, he said they inspected 120 stalls selling fresh vegetables, poultry and seafood.
During the two-hour operation, he said four traders were caught for not displaying price labels and two were caught under the Weights and Measures Act, 1972.
“The traders should have trading ethics and not simply charge the public and take advantage of innocent consumers who do not know much about pricing,” he said.
“Without the price labels, the public are unable to compare prices and people have to pay more but if there are price labels they can choose which vendor to buy from and save money,” he added.
Abdul Hafidz said they also checked whether vendors had dishonestly included GST in the prices of their goods, which would only come into effect from April 1 this year.
They also checked whether vendors had taken advantage of the floods to hike up their prices.
‘Ops Catut’ was launched on Jan 15 and will be carried out until June 30 nationwide.