Prudent spending: Market-goers to Pasar Besar Jalan Othman in Petaling Jaya say that having price tags will allow them to compare costs before making a purchase. — SHAARI CHEMAT /The Star
WITH rising cost affecting consumers, people are more conscious about their spending especially when doing their daily or weekly marketing.
They want to do price comparisons as the cost of fresh produce such as vegetables, eggs and proteins have gone up.
The Star reported on Feb 6 that the wholesale price of cucumber went up from RM1.80 per kg in mid-January to RM6.50 as of Feb 1 at Kuala Lumpur wet markets.
In the same period, French bean prices almost doubled, from RM7.50 to RM14.50.
The rise is due to a variety of factors, including the prolonged rainy weather and increased demand during Chinese New Year.
But this also means consumers have to be more savvy about their spending.
This is where the importance of having price tags displayed on items is crucial, as it allows consumers to make better choices.
Being able to read a weighing scale which has been calibrated is important to market-goers. — Photos by AZHAR MAHFOF and MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
However, a check by StarMetro has found that some market traders in Klang Valley are still not displaying price tags or even offering customers an unimpeded view of the weighing scale.
By not displaying prices, it gives traders the opportunity to quote any price they wish and to mark up profits.
As a result, unsuspecting customers who are unfamiliar with the market value of a food item would pay the price, literally and figuratively.
From the legal aspect, not displaying the price tag comes with a hefty penalty while from a social perspective, customers will lose trust in these traders.
A site visit to three markets — Pasar Jalan Raja Bot and Kepong Baru morning market in Kuala Lumpur, and Pasar Besar Jalan Othman in Petaling Jaya — to check whether traders are adhering to guidelines set by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) revealed a handful flouting the law.
Compliance to regulations on pricing display is generally good at the Pasar Jalan Raja Bot, with most of the traders displaying the unit price either on each basket containing the product or listed on a board.
Only a few traders are found without any price tags at their stalls or have only tagged the prices for certain products.
At the Kepong Baru morning market, the situation is reversed, with only a few traders complying with the law.
Many do not display prices properly, though weighing scales are clearly visible to customers.
The situation at Pasar Besar Jalan Othman or better known as Petaling Jaya Old Town market, is also concerning as most vegetable and poultry sellers do not display the price of their items.This is in contrast to the meat and seafood sellers, almost all of whom display their prices.
Many traders selling cooked food, such as roti canai and hot snacks, at the market are also not in the habit of displaying prices at their stalls.
As for the weighing scales, most are not easily visible to customers, leaving the latter vulnerable to being overcharged.
Goods displayed at Kepong Baru morning market are without any price tag, making it difficult for customers to make comparisons.
Law and enforcement
Traders and retailers have strict regulations to follow when it comes to displaying prices and weight measurement tools.
According to the KPDN website, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Goods and Charges for Services) Order 2020 requires retailers to display price tags on goods or bags of goods, indicating the price per unit or per unit weight or measure of the goods.
In some cases, retailers can use a price list to state the description of the goods.
Retailers also must ensure the price tag is displayed in ringgit.
Another requirement is for the sign to be in Bahasa Malaysia, though it can include an alternative language.
The size and colour of the price tag have to be conspicuous.
Individuals who do not adhere to the order can be fined a maximum of RM50,000, while corporations can be fined up to RM100,000.
Meanwhile, compounds issued for these offences are capped at RM25,000 for individuals or RM50,000 for corporations.
As for weighing scales, under the Weights and Measures Act (ATS) 1972, retailers must use tools for weights and measures that comply with the design and specifications set by the Custodian of Weights and Measures.
Offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding RM4,000 or jail term not exceeding three years or both.
For price-controlled goods, the Price Control and Anti- Profiteering Act (AKHAP) 2011 requires sellers to display a list of the prices at locations that are easily read.
Any corporate body that does not do so commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000 and for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding RM1mil.
Individuals guilty of such an offence are liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or jail term not exceeding three years or both and, for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or to a jail term not exceeding five years or both.
According to KPDN’s statistics in 2022 (taken from its website), as at Sept 30 that year, a total of 114 cases and 438 cases under AKHAP were recorded in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, respectively.
Meanwhile, 79 cases and 187 cases under ATS were recorded in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, respectively.
For the same period, the ministry also collected a total of RM1,458,250 from compounds issued in 5,179 cases under AKHAP and RM591,700 from compounds issued in 1,868 cases under ATS nationwide.
Obey the law, traders advised
When contacted, Chow Kit Area Hawkers and Petty Traders Association (Pasar Jalan Raja Bot) advisor Lee Chick King claimed the handful of traders who did not display price tags might not be association members.
“Some are illegal traders taking advantage of an empty stall and they trade for a day or two, so they might not know the law.
“It is impossible to check on traders daily but our members operating near these traders will warn them to leave the market.
“We have made it very clear to all our members that the association will not compromise if they commit wrongdoings such as not placing price tags or cheating when using a weighing scale.
“All of our members understand the regulations set by the government as we keep them updated,” he said.
There are currently 1,100 traders at Pasar Jalan Raja Bot.
Yee will encourage Kepong Baru morning market traders to comply with regulations.
Meanwhile, Kepong Baru Morning Market Association advisor Yee Poh Ping claimed that the traders lacked awareness that such government regulations exist.
“I will alert them on the government’s regulations pertaining to the need to display price tags, price-controlled goods and use of the weighing scale.
“Some might find it hard to display the price tag as they operate from a small stall.
“We also hope that the ministry will engage with the association and educate our traders,” he said, adding that the association would encourage the 300 traders, at the market, to display price tags clearly.
Persatuan Pasar Jalan Othman president Raja Ratnam said the over 200 market traders must display price tags on their produce.
“Lately, the price of vegetables has gone up. On some days, 1kg of long beans can be sold for RM15 when it used to be just half the price.
“Customers have the right to know the price before purchasing,” he said.
Raja also believes the traditional weighing scale must go.
“Sometimes when the needle is not accurately read, it can show a difference of 200g which translates to a big difference in price,” he said.
“Most of us use digital weighing scales now but sometimes customers cannot see the numbers, depending on how far away it is.
“However, once a year we bring it to the shop to make sure it is properly calibrated.”
Raja added that KPDN conducted spot checks every week, and sometimes more often if there were public complaints.
Raja says KPDN officers conduct spot checks every week at Pasar Besar Jalan Othman in PJ Old Town.
Be a smart consumer
Muhammad Karim Abdullah, 56, who frequents Pasar Jalan Raja Bot said he was unperturbed by traders not displaying their price tags.
“I will always ask for the price before buying and if I find it is exorbitant, I will walk away.
“Most of the time I do the marketing for the family and I know the prices well and patronise my regular traders.
“Traders who do not display price tags make it inconvenient for customers so we should stop buying from them,” he said.
A Bandar Menjalara resident who wanted to be known only as Chan, 45, said traders who did not display price tags might find it difficult to attract customers to their stalls.
“Sometimes when I shop at the Kepong Baru morning market, I get annoyed when traders do not display price tags because we need to ask,” she said.
“Those who display prices make it easier for us to compare prices between stalls.”
Petaling Jaya marketgoer Priya Krishnan said most customers know the price of items as some were price-controlled such as chicken.
“However, I believe traders should display price tags at all times, regardless if it is a price-controlled item or not,” she said.
“I once saw a seafood seller change the price tag on some seafood when officers from the ministry made their rounds.
“It occurred to me that some traders are dishonest.”
Another frequent visitor to the Jalan Othman market, who wished to be known only as Rita, has asked traders to provide a break down of vegetable prices if the total appears too high.
“The traders will tally the price of the vegetables in their notebook.
“I don’t know if they are being honest when they weigh the produce. The weighing scale display is not clear,” she said.
As of press time, KPDN did not respond to requests for comments.
