KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) will forward three ‘Ops Catut’ cases to the Attorney General’s Chambers next week.
“In Sabah, three IPs (investigation papers) have been done and I think we will at the latest bring it to the Attorney General next week to get the sanction so these cases can be brought to court,” revealed its state director Severinus Tukah here recently.
“One of the case is tied to Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 while the other two cases are under Section 21, which is the result of not answering the notice issued within three days,” he added.
According to Severinus, a total of 508 cases with an overall confiscation worth RM1,178,660.16 and a total 90 notices under Section 21 were issued as the result of 120,890 premises inspected statewide through ‘Ops Catut’ (profiteering operation) between January 15 to May 22.
“We are in the midst of preparing the IP for two more cases and will try to do more to bring to court as directed by the ministry.
“The ministry is serious in addressing profiteering cases. If it is happening out there, please let us know so we can do the investigations. The ministry does not compromise in regard to this, especially with shops that indiscriminately raise prices,” he concluded.
A total of 445 cases with a total RM454,770.81 worth of confiscation were found as a result of 79,006 premises inspected from January 15 to March 31, under ‘Ops Catut’ Phase 1. A total of 61 notices were also issued by the ministry under Section 21.
In Phase 2 of the operation, which began in April 1 to 30, a total of 29,165 premises were inspected and RM69,434 worth of confiscation was made. A total of 23 cases and 19 Section 21 notices were issued by the ministry.
Meanwhile, 40 cases involving RM654,455.35 worth of confiscation and 10 notices were issued as a result of inspection on 12,719 premises through ‘Ops Catut’ Phase 2 from May 1 to 22.