An enforcement personnel showing absorbent polymer pearls or beads.
KUCHING: Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) has prohibited the supply and sale of absorbent polymer pearls under the brand ‘Seven Colour Crystal Ball’ (SCCB) following alleged incidences of children swallowing the pearls or balls, which are in fact used for gardening.
KPDNKK Sarawak is now monitoring the supply of SCCB throughout Sarawak as the ministry has classified the product as dangerous when consumed.
Alleged incidences of children swallowing the balls have been going viral on social media, causing public alarm.
State KPDNKK enforcement chief Abdul Hafidz Abdul Rahim said those still selling these balls will be contravening a provision in the Consumers Protection Act 1999 and offenders will face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum of three years in jail, or both, upon conviction.
The unit conducted an operation from Jan 18–23 where enforcers raided 30 premises throughout Sarawak.
“KPDNKK Sarawak will always be monitoring the supply of these prohibited items. We have so far seized 144 units of such products worth RM433.86 in an operation where 30 premises were checked from Jan 18–23,” he said.
Section 19 of the Act states that no one is allowed to supply, sell or advertise to supply any product or service that breaches safety standards, he added.
KPDNKK assured consumers that they will act on manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors and retailers of these items apart from working closely with the Royal Malaysian Customs to effectively bar the import of SCCB.
The ministry will also aim to seize all SCCB products found in the market. On top of that, they will create greater public awareness on the existence of these dangerous items, said Abdul Hafidz.
“Parents must be aware how dangerous SCCB is to children and they should not have it at home. With this enforcement, it is hoped that all sales of SCCB be stopped and its disposal be made safely,” he cautioned.
Members of the public are advised to provide tip-offs or lodge complaints with regards to SCCB to [email protected] (email); 1-800-886-800 (free hotline); Urban Transformation Centre (or UTC) or at the nearest offices of KPDNKK Sarawak.