By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 25: A woman who is a foreign national was charged at the Sessions Court in Kota Samarahan for possessing 340kg of cooking oil without a license during an inspection conducted by a strategic partner of KPDN at an unnamed area in Tebedu yesterday (Jan 24).
According to a press release by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin, the charge was read before Judge Shafiza Datu Abdul Razak Tready by deputy public prosecutor Iezzah Iburdanisha against the accused under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and was sentenced to a fine of RM15,000 in default of six (6) months imprisonment.
The accused paid the fine and was released and RM30,850 worth of exhibit items were confiscated for disposal.
In this regard, Muhd Fahmi Hasrar, the Head of the Enforcement Section of Sarawak KPDN, led the inspection and enforcement of subsidised controlled goods to ensure they were not misappropriated.
Inspections were conducted on wholesalers and traders to ensure the availability of controlled goods supplies before the Chinese New Year celebration.
If any trader fails to comply with this regulation, action may be taken under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
In addition, enforcement officers have conducted inspections and enforcement at supermarkets, wet markets, night markets, retail shops, and other business locations to ensure that no traders take advantage of price increases in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
Any trader who arbitrarily increases prices may be subject to action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the use of unverified weighing instruments may be subject to action under the Weights and Measures Act 1972. Therefore, distributors and traders are advised to always comply with existing laws and regulations.
In light of this incident, Matthew urged the public to act as the authorities’ eyes and ears by providing information on the misappropriation of controlled and subsidised goods.
Complaints can also be lodged via WhatsApp (019848 8000) or email (e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my); or by contacting 1-800-886-800; or via the Ez ADU KPDN smartphone application. — DayakDaily
