KUCHING, Dec 28: Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has decided to extend the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMKM) from Jan 1 until Feb 4, 2022.
According to KPDNHEP Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the scheme was implemented from Dec 7 to 31, 2021.
The 12 items retained under the scheme included chicken, eggs and vegetables.
“There are four types of goods involved in the price adjustment at SHMKM effective from Jan 1 to Feb 4, 2022, namely chicken, chicken eggs, mustard and long beans for selected locations.
“These price adjustments are made based on specific situations and factors to ensure price and supply stability,” he said in a statement today.
He also said the KPDNHEP enforcement team will conduct daily monitoring throughout the country involving inspections at locations that are the focus of the public, such as public markets, farmers’ markets and supermarkets, and traders at the wholesale chain level.
“During the enforcement period of this scheme, KPDNHEP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) will be conducting inspections to ensure the supply of goods is adequate as well as to ensure the stability of prices of goods in the market,” he added.
He also reminded that strict action would be taken against traders who fail to comply with the regulations under this scheme.
Any trader who commits an offence will be brought under the Price Control, and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and may be subject to penalties.
“An individual selling goods above maximum price can be punishable by a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both or a compound of up to RM50,000.
“Meanwhile, for a company, it can be fined of up to RM500,000 or given a compound of up to RM250,000,” he said.
On the failure of placing a pink price tag on items, an individual can be fined up to RM10,000 or compounded up to RM5,000, while a company can be fined up to RM20,000 or compounded up to RM10,000.
Members of the public and traders can refer to the Ministry’s official portal for the list of goods and the prices involved in this scheme. ― DayakDaily
