BAU: The Sarawak Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) conducted inspections at 76,853 premises statewide as of Dec 20, resulting in 798 recorded cases.
These inspections have led to compounds totalling RM360,000 and confiscations valued at an estimated RM22.7 million.
KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin reminded traders of the serious consequences of violating the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
Individuals selling controlled items above the maximum price risk fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, along with a compound of up to RM50,000. For companies, penalties can reach up to RM500,000 in fines or a compound of RM250,000.
“Failure to display pink price tags for controlled items can also result in fines of up to RM10,000 or a compound of RM5,000 for individuals, while companies face fines of up to RM20,000 or compounds of RM10,000,” he said during a press conference following a walkabout at LePaPa Supermarket.
The event coincided with the implementation of the Maximum Price Scheme for the 2024 Christmas beginning today.
Barin assured the public of his ministry’s commitment to ensure a safe and ethical shopping environment, saying enforcement efforts have been ramped up throughout Sarawak.
“To this end, we have deployed 214 enforcement officers and 97 price monitoring officers to strategic locations, including public markets, farmers’ markets, and shopping malls.
“These officers are tasked with monitoring supply availability, ensuring compliance, and addressing consumer complaints,” he said.
The officers aim to detect violations and take swift action against non-compliance, he added.
This year’s Christmas Maximum Price Scheme includes 14 types of controlled items, gazetted for the period from Dec 23 to 27.
The items include live mature broiler hens (Sarawak only), live pigs (farm level only), imported bone-in mutton, imported round cabbage (excluding Beijing cabbage, from Indonesia and China), tomatoes, green bell peppers, imported potatoes (from China), red chilies, large imported red onions, large yellow onions, carrots, chicken wings, pork belly, and pork (meat and fat).
The ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure sufficient supplies during the festive season.
Barin assured that the ministry remains vigilant in enforcing compliance during the festive period, stressing that violators will face strict action.
Also present during the walkabout were Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh and distinguished guests.
