Over 2,400 premises inspected under Price Control Scheme

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Abdul Hafiz (right) and KPDNKK Sibu chief Kasim Mana (second right) checking prices at Ramadan Bazaar, Sibu Town Square.

SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) inspected 2,484 premises in Sarawak to check for compliance with Hari Raya Festive Price Control Scheme 2017.

According to KPDNKK Sarawak chief enforcement officer Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahim, from these inspections, they took action on two cases in Kuching.

“The two cases flouted Order 2(1) of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking of Price-Controlled Goods) (No.5) Order 2017. The seizure amount was RM66 while the compound collected totalled RM200,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

Abdul Hafiz said there were no cases taken up for Order 3(1) of the Price Control Order (Indication of Price by Retailer) 1993 and Section 11 of Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

He was asked on the number of cases of non-compliance for the 14-day festive scheme, which ends today. Giving an analysis based on branches, he disclosed that Kuching had the most number of premises inspected at 508, followed by Miri (423); Mukah (243); Bintulu (232); Sibu (230); Limbang (220); Sri Aman (217), Kapit (215) and Sarikei (196).

Hiking the prices of gazetted items constitutes an offence under Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

Upon conviction, an individual can be fined up to RM100,000 or sentenced to three years’ jail or both or compounded up to RM50,000. Companies on the other hand, can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.