KUCHING, Nov 5: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs will implement the ceiling price control scheme in conjunction with Deepavali.
The scheme will be effective from beginning Nov 9 till 17.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the nine-day price control scheme will be implemented based on a “win-win” principle between traders and the consumers.
“The scheme will be implemented five-days before the festive date, during the festive day, and three days after the celebration.
“This is in accordance with the current situation and will be a “win-win situation” for consumers and traders.
He said consumers can enjoy a period of affordable prices for essential goods and at the same time, the traders are not overly affected by the price control scheme, he said during a press conference live-streamed on the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) facebook.
He said the ministry has already selected several retail products that will be highly in demand during the Deepavali season.
“At the same time, in an effort to protect consumers, the ministry has also increased the presence of their enforcement officers,” he said.
The 20 listed retail items are: live poultry, standard grade chicken (slaughtered), super grade chicken, local mutton (boned meat), imported mutton and beef meat, grade A, B, C chicken egg, tomato, imported cabbage (Indonesia and China), lady’s fingers, cucumber, long bean, dried chilies, coconut, grated coconuts, imported red onion (from India), imported big red onion, imported potato (from China), and dals beans.
Meanwhile, Alexander also advised the consumers to always be aware of their responsibilities and always remember to exercise their rights.
The traders must also comply with the instructions given and be ethical in operating their businesses.
“Strict action will be taken against traders who fail to comply with the rules stipulated under this scheme and they will be prosecuted under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” he said.
Alexander added that this is why the ministry has come up with various channels to make it easier for the public to raise their complaints to the ministry.
This includes the ministry’s “Squad Tindakan Aduan Rakyat” (STAR), as part of the effort to deal with the public more effectively.
All enquiries can be channeled to the ministry’s e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my, call center 1800-886-800, Ez Adu mobile application, Enforcement Command Center (ECC) 03-8882 6245/6088, Malaysia Government Call Center (MYGCC) 03-8000 8000, Whatsapp 019-279 4317, or come to any 73 KPDNHEP counter throughout the country. –DayakDaily.
