KUCHING, Oct 1: Cooking oil has the highest number of consumer complaints, among other controlled items, for being sold above their ceiling prices by irresponsible traders.
According to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) enforcement director Azman Adam, as of Sept 29, the ministry has received a total of 350 complaints regarding the sale of controlled goods exceeding the fixed prices.
“Cooking oil saw a total of 172 complaints received, followed by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with 111 complaints, sugar (28), Covid-19 Self Test Kits (17), including 11 complaints each for flour and facemasks.
“For the record, a total of 162 investigation papers were open against the traders who are found to have failed to follow the prices set by the government,” he said in a statement today.
Azman emphasised the ministry would not hesitate to take stern actions against traders who violate the ministry’s guidelines, conditions, as well as prices set.
“Actions will be taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (AKHAP) Act 2021 and violators may be penalised, either fined in court up to RM100,000 or imprisoned not exceeding three years or both, for an individual.
“For a company, it can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000,” he added.
Meanwhile, KPDNHEP also urged consumers not to buy controlled goods from premises or online platforms that are selling above the prices set by the government.
Among those items are coarse and refine white sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil, LPG, face masks and Covid-19 Self Test Kits.
Consumers who wish to report any misconduct to KPDNHEP may reach out through Whatsapp (019-2794317), Mobileapps Ez ADU KPDNHEP, Portal e-aduan.kpdnhep, Call Center (1-800-886-800), email to e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my, or Enforcement Command Center (ECC) at 03-8882 6088/62245.
Complete information including the goods that are being sold above ceiling prices, and the location of the premise or platform should come with the complaint for further investigation. — DayakDaily
