KUCHING, Jan 30 – A notice will be sent to traders who raise prices arbitrarily during the upcoming festivities, said the director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) in Sarawak, Datuk Stanley Tan.
In a statement issued today, he said the notice would be issued under section 21 of the Price Control and Anti-Profit Act 2011 to obtain information as well as justification for any price hikes by traders.
“Traders will have to present all information and documents that raise the price.
“Those who fail to do so within a given time will be prosecuted under section 21(5) of the act for failing to provide information requested by the deputy officer,” he added.
They can be fined up to RM100,000 (for a corporation or corporation), while non-corporations or individuals can be fined up to RM50,000 or a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, or both.
Tan added that if it is found to be a profit, action can be taken under Section 14(1) of the Act and they can be fined up to go up to RM500,000 (for a corporation or corporation) or RM100,000 for non-corporations and individuals; imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years; or both.
“KPDNHEP will always carry out field checks and inspections to ensure that no trader takes the opportunity to raise the selling price or profiteers, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
“Therefore, the ministry is seeking consumer cooperation to channel any information if there are any merchants raising prices during the upcoming holiday season,” he said.
Complaints can be filed through the following channels: e-aduan portal (kpdnhep.gov.my); Call Center 1800 886 800; email to [email protected]; Ez Adu smartphone app; or by calling the Application Command Center (ECC) on 03-8882 6245/6088
They can also call 03-8000 8000 (MYGCC), contact via Whatsapp on 019-279 4317 or drop by any KPDNHEP office in Malaysia. — Borneo Post
