(From left) Ling and Joe inspect prices at Boulevard Hypermarket.
MIRI: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has included more items on the controlled price items list for the coming Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
Senator Alan Ling said there are 22 items on the list this time compared to 18 last year.
“This year we have 22 controlled price items in Sarawak instead of 18 because the government is concerned about the increase in the people’s cost of living, especially during the festive season,” he told reporters after inspecting prices with the ministry at Boulevard Hypermarket on Friday.
Ling said the controlled price period has also been extended to 30 days instead of the normal 15.
“This time we extend it to 30 days, which is 15 days before the festival and 14 days after the festival, so that consumers have more time to make their purchases,” he said adding all controlled price items must have pink price tags.
Ling reminded traders to abide by the maximum price scheme, to display the price of goods with pink tags, and to not sell them above the ceiling price.
“Both of this are offences under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
The ministry also has price monitoring officers going around during this period to ensure that all traders are being ethical and consumers are not cheated,” he said.
The ministry’s Miri head Joe Azmi said he was satisfied with the prices of items at the hypermarket, pointing out some were lower than the ceiling price set.
He said the controlled price period will run until June 19.
The 22 controlled items are live chickens, standard chickens, super chickens, local beef, imported beef, imported buffalo (India), grade A eggs, grade B eggs, grade C eggs, tomatoes, round cabbages, whole coconuts, grated coconuts, small red onions (India), imported big onions, garlic (China), imported potatoes (China), dried chilies, mackerel, local sardine (selayang), albacore tuna (tongkol), as well as demuduk/sagai/cermin/cupak fish.
For Gawai Dayak, additional controlled price items until June 7 are live old chickens, pork stomach, as well as pork meat.
Consumers who come across items sold above the controlled prices can call the ministry on 1-800-886800 or send a text to 019-2794317.