By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 31: Those celebrating Chinese New Year here do not have to worry about mandarin oranges — there’s enough of them.
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Miri chief Joe Azmi Jamil said: “The supply (of mandarin oranges) is enough, don’t worry.
“At the moment, we have not received any complaints about the shortage of mandarin oranges or the 12 items listed under the Chinese New Year price control scheme.”
He said this to reporters covering the launching of the price control scheme by Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon at Boulevard Hypermarket at Jalan Miri-Pujut here today.
The scheme, which will be effective from today till Feb 8, is being implemented under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the 12 items in the list are chickens (live, super and standard), chicken eggs (grade A, B, and C), imported round cabbage, garlic (China), white pomfret, large prawns (udang putih besar), pork (belly), and pork (meat).
In advising traders to abide by the regulations set by the ministry on controlled items’ prices, Joe Azmi cautioned that stern actions would be taken against errant traders under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
For selling price-controlled items above the price, traders can be fined up to RM100,000 or jail not exceeding 3 years or both or pay a compound of up to RM50,000. For companies, the fines can be up to RM500,000 or compound of up to RM250,000.
Those who fail to display pink price tags can be fined RM10,000 or compound up to RM5,000, while companies can be fined up to RM20,000 or slapped with RM10,000 compound.
Meanwhile, Dr Ting applauded the efforts being made by the ministry in ensuring that consumers would not be taken advantage of during the festive season.
“As we all know, during the festive season, we tend to consume more, and through this scheme (price control scheme), the public is assured to get the best prices,” he said.
Any complaints concerning price-controlled items can be channelled to the ministry through its portal at e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my or call centre at 1800-886-800 or through their smartphone application Ez ADU. — DayakDaily
