Valentine’s Day: Traders warned not to hike price of flowers

0


Photo shows a flower stall at a shopping mall in Sibu, which displays Valentine’s Day bouquets.

SIBU: Traders here have been reminded not to take advantage of lovers rushing for flowers as Valentine’s Day closes in, by hiking prices indiscriminately.

Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Sibu chief Roslee Maslie warned that his side would take appropriate action under Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 upon receiving complaints.

“Notice under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 can be issued to traders if they are found to hike prices indiscriminately,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Roslee also reminded florists to display price tags for their flowers to enable consumers to make comparisons, saying that failure to display price tags would constitute an offence under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

On penalties, Roslee said an individual could be fined up to RM100,000, or sentenced to three years’ jail, or both, upon conviction for the first offence.

As for corporate bodies, the fine would be RM250,000 for the first offence, he pointed out.

He advised the public to call 084-329202 / 335622 should they know of any hike in price of essential items or unhealthy business practices.

Meanwhile, florists were seen setting up stalls selling a wide range of flowers at shopping malls here with Valentine’s Day being celebrated during the Lunar New Year period this year.

According to a florist, who operates a shop in town, there are still requests from his customers for flowers made from folded currency notes besides paper and real flowers.

“People have different ways of expressing their feelings to loved ones,” he chuckled.

“Actually, flowers made from folded currency notes gained popularity among locals some years ago,” he recalled.