KUCHING, May 8: There would not be any compromise against businesses caught abusing the movement control order (MCO) and increase the price of their products or services unreasonably amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah reminded business owners, especially in the rural areas, not to take the opportunity of the difficult situation by resorting to “price gouging”.
“The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Sarawak will not compromise with any business operators who took advantage of the MCO implementation, and will investigate all complaints submitted to the ministry,” he told a press conference at Wisma Sumber Alam today.
He advised businesses to be ethical in their operations without taking advantage of the people to excessively raise the price of goods and services, especially in rural areas.
“Strict action will be taken against those who default it,” he continued.
Awang Tengah, who is also the chairman of the Food Supply Chain Sub-Committee, said the basic necessities in the state are sufficient to last for another three months.
KPDNHEP Sarawak has assured that there is enough supply of essential food items such as chicken eggs, chicken or beef, cooking oil, flour, sugar, and rice for the upcoming Hari Raya and Gawai celebrations, he added.
He said that the monitoring and supervision at the various point of sales (POS) will be continued rigorously by KPDHEP to ensure that there is adequate supply of these essential food items and that no suppliers should take advantage of MCO to increase their prices.
“The basic food supplies, especially in the rural areas POS will not be affected because the quota for the month of May would be increased with the addition of the quota from the month of June,” he added.
On another note, Awang Tengah advised the public to forward their complaints on any business malpractices to KPDNHEP at their 1-800-886-800 hotline or through the “e-aduan” portal at http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, or through their WhatsApp number at 019-2794317.
“Apart from that, the Enforcement Command Centre (ECC) KPDNHEP Sarawak are open from 8am until 5.30pm daily and can be contacted for any complaints during the duration of the MCO period,” he said.
The public can contact their respective district ECC to forward their complaints, namely in PPDNHEP Kuching (082-466052), Sri Aman (083-323836), Sarikei (084-657751), Sibu (084-335622), Kapit (084-799678), Bintulu (086-332176), Miri (085-412862), Limbang (085-217414), Mukah (084-872726) and Lawas (085-283650). — DayakDaily
