Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Sabah director Georgie Abas (second left) during the walkabout and launch of the Hari Raya Festive Maximum Price Control Scheme at a hypermarket in Putatan on Monday.
KOTA KINABALU: No offences or cases were recorded during the inspections of 244 premises in Sabah so far under the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP).
This is based on statistics from the start of the scheme on Saturday (April 15), says Sabah Domestic Trade and Cost of Living director Georgie Abas.
“During the Chinese New Year SHMMP 2023 earlier this year, 1,292 inspections were carried out and one case was registered under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (price tag display for items and services) here where a compound of RM100 was issued.
“For the record last year, under SHMMP, a total of 4,667 premises across the state were inspected during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan, Deepavali and Christmas celebrations.
“From that figure, 19 cases were recorded under the Act mentioned, with total seizures of goods worth RM1,130.85 and compound notices amounting to RM2,100 issued,” he said after a walkabout at a hypermarket in Putatan and launching the Hari Raya SHMMP there on Monday (April 17).
Georgie said the scheme was part of the government’s effort to stabilise the price during anticipated higher demand to ensure the diverse people of Malaysia could celebrate in harmony, and added that stern action can be taken towards errant sellers who fail to adhere to the rules under the scheme.
The scheme during Hari Raya this year will be for 16 days until April 30, where a list of price-controlled goods have been issued, as well as price of chicken and eggs being controlled under the Maximum Price Determination for Poultry and Chicken Eggs (PHMAT).
“Our enforcement officers will always be at locations where a majority of people shop like at public markets, agriculture markets and hypermarkets to conduct inspection and monitoring the prices as well as ensuring the supply is sufficient,” he added.
Consumers who wish to file complaints in relation to this can go through Whatsapp at 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000, the complaints portal at e-aduan.kpdn.gov.my, call centre 1-800-886-800 or email e-aduan@kpdn.gov.my.
They can also visit the nearest Ministry office or contact the respective state Ministry Operations Room at the numbers listed in the Ministry’s website, he added.
