By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 29: More than 2,000 enforcement personnel and 1,000 price monitoring officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will conduct inspections and monitoring at locations such as supermarkets and wet markets to ensure traders comply with the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) for Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan.
This was stated by its minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, at a press conference following a visit to CCK Fresh Mart in Stutong here today, in conjunction with the first day of the implementation of the SHMMP for Gawai Dayak.
“The goal of this visit is to monitor traders’ compliance with implementing the price control scheme and obtain transparent information on issues and problems that arise among traders.
“Aside from that, the visit aims to inform the public about the government’s measures to address the cost of living (COL) and rising prices of goods,” said Nanta, who is also a Kapit MP.
The Gawai Dayak SHMMP will be implemented from May 29 to June 4, while the Kaamatan Festival SHMMP is from May 27 to June 2.
Furthermore, Nanta mentioned that, in addition to chickens and eggs, there are eight other types of price-controlled items during the implementation period for Gawai, namely live old chickens, chicken wings, garlic (imported from China), imported round cabbage, dry chillies, live pigs (maximum price is at the farm only), pork belly, and pork meat and fat.
“The price of goods is determined based on the suitability of the current market price and considers price change factors, particularly for imported goods that are influenced by exporting country prices, currency exchange rates, increased demand, and so on.
Additionally, he noted that the ministry hopes that implementing this scheme will help alleviate the burden on consumers due to the rising COL that occurs during this time and ensure that certain goods are readily available during this festive season.
“Consumers are advised to be more prudent in managing daily expenses, including by comparing prices in specific areas before making a purchase using the ‘Price Catcher’ application provided by the ministry as one of the measures to save and avoid being duped by a few irresponsible traders,” he said.
Consumers can file complaints with the KPDNHEP via WhatsApp at 019-2794317/019-8488000, by visiting the complaint portal at e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my or by calling 1-800-886-800, by sending an email to e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my, by using the Ez ADU app, or by calling the Enforcement Command Centre (ECC) at 03-8882 6088/6245.
Also present was KPDNHEP secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof. — DayakDaily
