Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (third from left) launching the Jualan Rahmah for imported meat at Pontian Econsave supermarket here.
PONTIAN: Businesses have been reminded to display the prices of goods to avoid running afoul of the law.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said his ministry has received hundreds of complaints of traders failing to display price tags.
“So far, we have yet to receive any complaints of businesses failing to adhere to the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme.
“However, we have received many grouses about prices not being displayed.
“In fact, when I conducted spot checks on my own, I too came across many such cases and I advised the sellers to put up price tags before enforcement officers take action against them,” he told the media when attending a Rahmah sale at the Econsave Pontian supermarket here yesterday.
“As far as we can, we do not want to issue compounds to them, especially with Hari Raya Aidilfitri coming.
“However, if this continues, we’ll have no choice but to take legal action against them,” he added.
Separately, Salahuddin said there is an ample supply of basic goods, including chicken and eggs, for the festive season.
“The essentials are enough, though we have heard of cases where traders in certain places are receiving their supply of chicken from two or three levels of wholesalers instead of just one. “This means that they have to fork out extra for their supply.
“To cover the extra cost, some have imposed a service charge on customers for providing services to cut the chicken.
“I have checked with the ministry’s legal unit. In cases where there is a clear price tag for the service to cut the chicken or if the customers agree to pay the extra cost, it is not an offence,” he added.
He urged the public to lodge a complaint with his ministry if they come across any lack of supply for essentials.
On another matter, Salahuddin said his ministry will increase the supply of subsidised RON95 petrol and diesel during the festive season starting today until May 5.
He assured the public that there will be an adequate supply of the fuel at all 4,030 petrol stations nationwide for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Labour Day and Wesak Day during the period.
During Hari Raya Aidilfitri last year, acute fuel shortages were reported in the east coast and other parts of the country.
