Tan (left) with Miro at a trader’s shop in Bau today.
KUCHING: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) has listed an additional 11 items for Sarawak under the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) effective today until June 3.
The items are tomatoes; imported round cabbage (from Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing); red chilli; green capsicum; Onions (China), Onions (Holland), Potatoes (China), dried chilli and groundnut.
Also listed are fish namely ‘kembung’ (including mabung) and ‘selayang’.
The newly listed items, according to the ministry in a statement is to meet the demands of consumers during the festive season which coincides with the Conditional Movement Control Order period.
The statement also said the prices of the goods in Sarawak will depend on the locality of consumers which are divided into five main zones.
The selling price of the items will depend on the geographical factor, logistics and the supplier’s source.
The global market price of goods, currency exchange and the rising costs of foreign farmers will also influence the selling price in each of the five zones – especially on imported items.
This morning, a walkabout to check the compliance level of traders on the scheme was held in Bau town led by KPDNHEP state director Datuk Stanley Tan together Serembu assembylman Miro Simuh.
To curb unreasonable price hikes by unscrupulous traders, KPDNHEP said notices under Section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 will be enforced on any party found to suddenly increase the prices of goods.
Action will be taken against traders who fail to comply with the regulations of the scheme under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and may be subject to the following penalties, which are the offences in selling controlled goods above maximum price.
Individuals can be fined up to RM100,000, or imprisoned for up to three years, or both, or issued compounds up to RM50,000; whereas companies can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.
For failure to place pink price tag on controlled items, the offender can be fined up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000; and for companies — RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000.
Meanwhile, a total of 102 personnel from the ministry will conduct checks and monitor the price of goods in Sarawak.
The public can lodge complaints by contacting their hotline at 1-800-886-800, KPDNHEP e-aduan portal or Whatsapp 019-2794317.