By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Oct 20: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Sarawak carried out a walkabout at Mydin Hypermarket Vista Tunku today to assess compliance with the implementation of the Deepavali 2022 Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP), which will be in effect from Oct 20 to 26, 2022 at the State level.
According to its press release, SHMMP Deepavali is KPDNHEP’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that Malaysian families are not burdened with an increase in the cost of living (COL) during the festive season due to increased demand for certain items ahead of the Deepavali festival, which will be celebrated on Oct 24.
The Ministry has been enforcing the Maximum Chicken and Egg Price Determination since Oct 12 and it remains in effect to stabilise the price of chicken and chicken eggs as well as market supply.
SHMMP Deepavali 2022 will be in effect for seven days, from Oct 20 to 26, covering four days before the festival, one day during the festival, and two days after the festival.
SHMMP Deepavali 2022 includes the following eight types of price items that have been gazetted under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011:
• imported bone-in mutton
• tomatoes
• red chillies
• small shallots (India)
• imported large shallots
• dal beans (Australia)
• coconut seeds (*only available at wholesale level)
• grated coconut (*maximum retail price only)
Discussions with government agencies, manufacturers, wholesalers, supermarkets, and retailers are held to determine the price of goods, taking into account current market prices and price change factors, particularly for imported goods affected by changes in currency exchange rates and other costs involved.
A complete list of Sarawak’s goods prices can be found on the KPDNHEP website at www.kpdnhep.gov.my, as well as on the KPDNHEP official Facebook page and the Sarawak KPDNHEP Facebook page.
During SHMMP Deepavali 2022, a total of 176 enforcement officers and 101 Sarawak KPDNHEP price monitoring officers will conduct monitoring and inspections in public markets and supermarkets to ensure trader compliance.
Any trader found in violation will be prosecuted strictly under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and its regulations, and may face the following penalties:
• The offence of selling controlled price items above the maximum price:
(a) Individual: may be fined by the court up to RM100,000 or imprisoned not exceeding three years or both or compounded up to RM50,000; and
(b) the Company; can be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000;
• The offence of failing to put a pink price tag on controlled price items:
(a) Individual; can be fined by the court up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000; and
(b) the Company; can be fined up to RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000.
If a consumer has information about any trader’s misconduct in relation to the above matter, he can report it to the KPDNHEP via the channels listed below:
• WhatsApp 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000
• Complaints Portal: e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my
• Call Centre: 1-800-886-800
• Email: e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my
• Ez ADU KPDNHEP
— DayakDaily
